YOU would have been forgiven for thinking it was Hearts who had taken top spot in Europa Conference League Group A as travelling chants boomed around the Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadium.
Instead, it was their Istanbul Basaksehir group rivals going directly into the final 16 of the European competition as they earned a battling victory in Hearts’ final involvement this season.
There was little question over the victors in the Turkey after Youssouf Ndayishimiye’s fourth minutes opener, but come full-time it was the healthy travelling contingent showing their appreciation.
Serdar Gurler and Berkay Ozcan ended the contest to see Istanbul take pole position in the group, but Nathaniel Atkinson’s late consolation gave the Hearts supporters something to celebrate after an arduous campaign for the Tynecastle side on the continent.
Robbie Neilson shuffled his pack for the trip to Turkey with surprise starts for youth duo Euan Henderson and Connor Smith for the European finale and Alan Forrest given the nod. First-team regulars Barrie McKay, Lawrence Shankland and Orestis Kiomourtzoglou were left on the bench with hope of a late impact.
However, Hearts’ game plan was immediately thrown out the window as hosts Istanbul Basaksehir raced into an early lead. There had been an instant warning sign as Stefano Okaka dragged a shot wide from inside the area within two minutes of kick-off.
But Hearts failed to heed the danger signs as Istanbul were gifted a lead from their first corner. Deniz Turuc whipped a cross into the centre of the box where Ndayishimiye was in acres of space to power a header past the helpless Craig Gordon in the Hearts goal.
The early setback did jolt Hearts into life as they staked a foothold in the fiercely contested contest. Two minutes after falling behind Henderson would come close to connecting with an improvised volley in the box before then firing a shot over the bar from the edge of the area seconds later.
Neilson’s men grew into the Euro tie and began to threaten with Jorge Grant impressing in the midfield as he earned a series of fouls in advanced positions. With 16 minutes on the clock, Grant was again on the receiving end of a nasty challenge as scorer Ndayishimiye caught the midfielder on the shin with his studs. The Basaksehir player walked away without a caution from referee Goga Kikacheishvili, and with no VAR in use he escaped a possible red for the stamp motion with Grant fortunate to avoid injury.
With Hearts pressing for an equaliser, Basaksehir then hit with a suckerpunch second just after the half-hour. A lofted ball over the top looked to sent Okaka clear on goal, Gordon rushed out of his box in an attempt to clear but could only flick the ball into the path of Gurler who controlled before slotting past the despairing backtracking Toby Sibbick. It was an uncharacteristic error from Gordon which all but ended the match as a contest.
Three minutes later and Gordon would somewhat atone for his mistake as he produced a smart double stop to deny Bertrand Traore who had found serious space at the back post.
Into the second half and it was more of the same with Hearts not disgracing themselves in an industrious performance if in vain after self-inflicted punishment.
Istanbul Basaksehir captain Junior Caicara looked to get in on the act but fired well wide before Ndayishimiye was again unmarked in the box but sent a diving header off-target.
Neilson then made the call to send on reinforcements with Shankland, McKay and Josh Ginnelly sent on just after the hourmark. But before they could have any impact Basaksehir would have a third.
Gordon looked to kick-start an attack as he threw out to Alex Cochrane but the defender miscontrolled to allow Omer Ali Sahiner to rob possession and slide to fellow sub Ozcan who slammed home in his first involvement just seconds after climbing off the bench.
To the credit of the Tynecastle side, Hearts kept on playing despite being fully in the knowledge they were staggering out of Europe in a disappointing campaign.
And their endeavour would pay-off in the final minute of normal time with Atkinson powering home from close range to give the visiting support something to cheer about.
Youngster Finlay Pollock did well down the left to win the ball and cross for Shankland who watched his effort pushed clear by Muhammed Sengezer but Atkinson was on hand to finish the rebound.
