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Salah punishes Hearts and puts Trabzon on the brink of European top spot
Trabzonspor defeated Hearts 2-0 in the UEFA Conference League on Thursday at Papara Park, with goals from Mohamed Salah and Dju Franculino securing victory for the Turkish side.
Following a 7-1 Premiership defeat at Celtic Park last Sunday, Hearts arrived severely weakened; Harry Milne suffered a knee injury in Wednesday's training, compounding the squad's injury crisis.
Despite Malachi Fagan-Walcott striking the post early on, Hearts lacked cutting edge. Salah converted a penalty in the 32nd minute before Franculino curled home from 15 yards on 58 minutes to settle the tie.
Just over 400 Hearts fans attended at Papara Park as Trabzonspor's Sidny Cabral was sent off for a second yellow card late on. The visitors demonstrated improved defensive discipline compared to their Celtic Park showing.
Hearts hold one draw and one defeat in the Conference League ahead of a trip to FC Thun in two weeks. The Scottish side seeks to recover from their European setback and improve their continental record.
Trabzon Spor of Turkey won his Scottish guest Harris 2-0 in the game that I gathered today on Thursday at the Papara Park Stadium, among the second round of tournament championships at the European Football Conference.