Maccabi Tel Aviv 5
Jorginho 32 og; Zahavi 57 pen., 90; Ben Haim II 62; Igiebor 82;
Hibernians 1
Soares 51;

(Maccabi win 6-3 on aggregate)

Hibernians midfielder Bjorn Kristensen tries to avoid a tackle against Maccabi.  Photo: Oren Aharoni

Two quick goals early in the second half dashed Hibs’ dreams of reaching the third qualifying round of the Champions League yesterday as the Maltese champions succumbed to a 5-1 defeat on the night to Maccabi Tel Aviv who advanced 6-3 on both legs.

After the come-from-behind 2-1 win at Corradino last week, Hibs had entertained hopes of becoming the first Maltese side to play in the third qualifying round of the elite tournament.

At one point, the Paolites looked steady on course to achieve their goal as after falling behind midway through the first half, Rodolfo Soares scored an equaliser that put the visitors in a strong position to complete a remarkable quali-fication.

However, Maccabi hit back strongly and struck twice in the space of five minutes to regain control of the tie before hitting two late goals for a comfortable victory. Their reward is a two-legged encounter against Czech champions Viktoria Plzen.

Hibs coach Branko Nisevic kept faith with the same 11 players that started the first leg last week. Maccabi counterpart Slavisa Jokanovic was boosted with the return of forward Eran Zahavi who missed the first leg due to injury.

Skipper Zahavi immediately made his presence felt as on 12 minutes he was put clear by Tal Ben Haim II but his grounder was pushed away by Juergen Borg.

The young Hibs keeper distinguished himself again on 22 minutes when he dived full length to keep out Gal Alberman’s shot from the edge of the box.

Maccabi continued to enjoy the bulk of possession but failed to panic the solid Hibs defence. However, the hosts were handed a helping hand on 32 minutes to take the lead.

Maccabi were awarded a free-kick on the left and Zahavi’s delivery ricocheted against Jorginho and the ball finished inside Borg’s net.

Two minutes later, Maccabi almost struck again when Ben Haim II moved inside two defenders but his shot was blocked by the keeper.

Hibs tried to force a reaction and a minute from the break Gilmar hit a shot from the distance but his effort was well neutralised by goalkeeper Juan Pablo.

On the restart, Hibs started to push more men forward and Jackson Lima dribbled past his direct marker but his inswinger was parried by Pablo.

Nisevic’s men levelled matters soon after. The Maccabi defence failed to deal with Cohen’s free-kick and in came Rodolfo Soares who stabbed the ball home.

The Israeli champions were stunned but regrouped without delay to restore their lead before the hour.

Soares upended Ben Haim II inside the Hibs’ box and from the penalty Zahavi drilled his shot past Borg.

The scores over the two legs were even but Maccabi were now in full control and added a third goal five minutes later when Ben Haim II turned past Borg to blast home.

Hibs were not demoralised though and the woodwork denied them a crucial second goal when Cohen connected to Dias’s cross but his header came off the bar.

Maccabi could have sealed qualification when from a central free-kick Zahavi saw his drive tipped over the bar by Borg.

Hibs were leaving gaps in their defence and the home team profited fully on 82 minutes when Mitrovic’s header was half-parried by the Hibs custodian but in rushed Igiebor to score and make it 4-1.

The visitors ran out of steam and Zahavi added further gloss to Maccabi’s victory when he beat Borg a fifth time in stoppage time.

Maccabi Tel Aviv
J. Pablo, Y. Shpungin, O. Ben Harush (62 Y. Ziv), T. Ben Haim I, C. Garcia, G. Alberman, E. Zahavi, D. Miha (86 B. Basat), N. Mitrovic, N. Igiebor, T. Ben Haim II (81 B. Itzhaki).

Hibernians
J. Borg, R. De Gracia Gomes, A. Agius, J. Lima, R. Soares, B. Kristensen, C. Failla, M. Dias (87 J. Mbong), A. Cohen, Jorginho, Gilmar (63 Jorge).

Referee: Andris Treimainis (Latvia).

Yellow cards: Borg, Beh Haim II, Garcia, Soares, Cohen, Gilmar, Kristensen Basat.