Hearts boss Steven Naismith hopes for a turnaround in fortunes in the return leg at Tynecastle after Daniel Oyegoke’s late own goal gave Viktoria Plzen a 1-0 win at the Doosan Arena.
It looked like the Jambos would return from the first leg of their Europa League play-off tie in Czechia with a goalless draw until it all changed in the final minute of six added at the end of the match.
A cross to the back post by home substitute Cadu was turned into his own net from close range by Oyegoke, who replaced Gerald Taylor after 75 minutes, as he tried to keep a Viktoria Plzen attacker at bay.
The goal handed the hosts a narrow victory and Hearts take their opponents back to Edinburgh next Thursday with Naismith relishing the prospect of a packed home stadium.
He told BBC Radio Scotland: “The commitment, attitude, discipline, belief was all there. It’s a blow when you lose a goal so late.
“We knew it was going to be a tight tie and it’s going to be a tight tie next week.
“It’s a late goal. In the game, both teams had good chances – you could argue that we’d better chances, but it’s European football.
“You need to stay disciplined at times and then, the moment you have the ball, you’ve got to be brave.
“I didn’t think we’d done that to start with. I thought we were a wee bit safe. We became a bit braver.
“Our structure was good and we caused them problems in possession. Defensively we were decent.
“Ultimately, obviously we lose a late goal but I think the tie’s really tight. It’ll be a tight game next week. We’re at home – we’ve got to use that home advantage.
“So there’s loads of positives. We’re disappointed, because I think going 0-0 gives you a slight advantage going into the second leg, but knowing what Tynecastle can be like in a European night, we’ll need that.”
Naismith nodded to last season’s Europa Conference League play-off tie against Norwegian side Rosenborg where a 2-1 defeat away in the first leg preceded a 3-1 win for the Jambos in Gorgie.
He said: “Yeah, it’s similar, it was a very tight tie. Both teams will believe they can go through.
“They showed their qualities. They showed the way they want to play.
“I thought the way we set up was really good.
“We started well for the first two minutes and then I thought it took us 10 or 15 minutes to get a grip, especially in possession. It was an enjoyable game.”
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
