Lincoln sparkles for Schalke
Thursday, 4 November 2004
By Mark Walker at Murrayfield
[1] A spectacular strike from Brazilian midfield player Lincoln handed FC Schalke 04 a deserved win that leaves Heart of Midlothian FC without a point two games into their Group A campaign.
Lincoln winner
[2] Having lost their opener 3-0 at Feyenoord - while Ralf Rangnick's Schalke were drawing with FC Basel 1893 - things began to go badly for Hearts at their temporary European home when Patrick Kisnorbo was dismissed early in the second half. Lincoln then struck 17 minutes from time to ensure John Robertson's debut as manager was a losing one.
Early efforts
[3] Schalke came close on three minutes when Ailton's chip from 20 metres landed on the roof of Craig Gordon's net. Hearts, whose previous manager Craig Levein left for Leicester City FC this week, threatened on 18 minutes when Jamie McAllister's free-kick was deflected into the arms of Frank Rost. They came closer five minutes later when the same player drilled a low shot from the edge of the box that Christian Poulsen scrambled clear.
Kisnorbo departs
[4] Hearts were down to ten men early in the second half when Australian international Kisnorbo was cautioned for simulation, having already been booked for dissent. The UEFA Intertoto Cup victors rallied, and Ailton shot against the inside of the post from close range. When the ball was cleared out to Niels Oude-Kamphuis, his deep cross from the right also struck the woodwork.
Deadlock broken
[5] Gordon produced a wonderful save from Ailton's point-blank header, but the deadlock was broken when Lincoln took possession 25 metres out and strode forward before unleashing a spectacular shot into the net. Schalke had won, and Ferencvárosi TC are their next opponents in Gelsenkirchen on 25 November. Hearts visit Basel that night in search of their first points.