Hibernian 0-1 Aberdeen: Miovski breakaway fires Aberdeen into final
- Published
Bojan Miovski was the match-winner for Aberdeen
A breakaway goal from Bojan Miovski fired 10-man Aberdeen into the Viaplay Cup final as Hibernian failed to take their chances at Hampden.
A cool 78th-minute finish from the striker was the Dons' first meaningful attempt and came soon after a foolish second booking for Jack MacKenzie.
Miovski squandered a similar chance and picked up a caution for diving in a crazy few moments after scoring.
Hibs, who had a Martin Boyle effort ruled out after a lengthy VAR check, were the brighter side for most of a contest that was sorely lacking in quality but did not threaten enough.
Aberdeen, who last celebrated silverware with this trophy in 2014, will meet Rangers or Hearts in the final on 17 December.
Neither side seemed in much of a hurry in a drab first half, with a lot of ponderous possession, aimless passing and set-pieces taking an age each time.
Hibs were slightly more menacing, with Elie Youan blazing over the top and a Joe Newell effort deflected wide.
Earlier, a sliding Connor Barron did well to knock the ball over his own goal to prevent Boyle meeting Youan's curling cross.
Aberdeen were going long to striker Miovski too often without any success, while captain Graeme Shinnie was guilty of a poor swipe in front of the target.
The second half began with Nicky Devlin clearing a fizzing Lewis Miller delivery from the Aberdeen six-yard box before Boyle thought he had made the breakthrough with a sublime first touch and finish.
After an embarrassing delay filled with jeers and whistles, the VAR room eventually ruled the Hibs forward offside.
'Nobody remembers the losing team in a semi-final'
It was the spark the game needed as both sets of fans found their voices.
Kelle Roos saved well from Jair Tavares, there were cries for a penalty as the Aberdeen keeper flapped at the feet of Dylan Vente, and Devlin got an important leg in the way of a Boyle rocket.
Aberdeen were looking livelier, too, but were suddenly down to 10 after a moment of madness from MacKenzie. Already on a booking, the wing-back took exception to a nudge from Miller and shoved his opponent over with both hands.
And then, against the odds, the depleted Dons snatched victory.
The Hibs half was empty as Miovski broke clear and no one got near him as he ran on to stroke the ball beyond a hesitant David Marshall.
Miovski then sclaffed an easier opportunity wide and picked up a caution for simulation as a stunned Hibs let him through twice again.
The Edinburgh team piled men forward during seven minutes of added time but could not fashion a serious chance to find a leveller.
Player of the match - Bojan Miovski
Miovski spent most of the game isolated and chasing down lost causes but kept a cool head for a fine finish and could easily have added a second goal moments later
Aberdeen find a way to win - analysis
Aberdeen fans gleefully belted out a cruel chorus of 'Hibs are falling apart again' at full-time and most will acknowledge their side were second best in a game that will not live long in the memory.
Hibs were easier on the eye, building from the back with purpose at times and stretching their opponents with the pace of Boyle, Youan and Tavares but on the only occasion they found a way through, Boyle was a few centimetres offside.
Aberdeen dug in on an off day and were rewarded when Miovski surged forward to take advantage of a defensive lapse, with Hibs losing focus after the sending off and committing too many men forward.
The strange truth is that the team on the ascendancy got worse against 10 men and lost their heads when chasing the game.
Heaven knows what MacKenzie was thinking when he reacted so angrily to a run of the mill exchange with Miller and the defender owes Miovski a huge thank you for bailing him out.
What they said
'I don't see how Boyle can be offside or why penalty wasn't given'
Hibernian manager Nick Montgomery: "I'm hurting and the boys are hurting. I thought we were the better side, I don't think anybody could deny that.
"There were some real difficult decisions to swallow in a game of this magnitude. I'm not the referee, or on VAR, but I don't know how they've ruled Martin Boyle's goal offside. And we possibly should've had a penalty.
"I thought we played really well and had opportunities, but you have decisions that go against you; that hurts because I thought it was a good opportunity for us to get to the final."
Aberdeen manager Barry Robson: "The biggest thing for me was how we did it tactically. We've had four games in nine days. We had a day less rest than them, we couldn't go after them the way we wanted to.
"We had a man sent off and were thinking 'this will be tough'. But when you have someone like Bojan, who has the speed to open them up... thankfully he did and he could have had another couple.
"I'm so pleased for my players. The will, the spirit they showed, that's proper Aberdeen players that. Jack got a cuddle, it could've been different if we lost the game."
'Proud of players character and spirit' - Robson
Aberdeen goalscorer Bojan Miovski: "It's an unbelievable feeling. It's always special to win this type of game, the players all work for this moment.
"The fans are always behind us - it doesn't matter if we're home or away. I've never experienced this at another club. They motivate me on the pitch and this final is for them."
What's next?
Aberdeen travel to Greece to face PAOK in the Conference League on Thursday (17:45 GMT), before visiting Celtic on Sunday (14:30). Hibs face St Mirren on Wednesday (19:45) in the Scottish Premiership before hosting Kilmarnock on Saturday (15:00).