Hearts 1-2 Aberdeen: Analysis
Aberdeen headed to Hampden to face Hearts looking to repair the hurt of two semi-final defeats by Celtic - on penalties a year ago in the same competition and a 6-0 thrashing in this season's League Cup.Last weekend's surrending of a two-goal lead to 10-man Rangers in the Premiership at Pittodrie seemed to be weighing just as heavily as they toiled even before Hearts lost their Austrian centre-half, Michael Steinwender, to a straight red card.At full strength, it was Hearts creating the better chances and only the speed of Shayden Morris and Keskinen on the wings sporadically threatened.Down to 10 men and now with five at the back, Hearts snubbed out that threat and Aberdeen again lacked the guile to penetrate a packed defence.However, Cammy Devlin's dismissal two minutes before the end of extra time proved crucial and subsititute Oday Dabbagh's fourth goal of the season sent Aberdeen into their 17th Scottish Cup final and the chance to lift the trophy for an eighth time and their first in 35 years.
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