Sliema Wanderers and Hibernians put up brave displays but still were both eliminated from the Europa League yesterday after suffering away defeats to Azerbaijan’s Xazar Lankaran and FC Vojvodina, of Serbia respectively.
The Wanderers, encouraged by the 1-1 draw in last week’s opening leg at the Centenary Stadium, had travelled to Azerbaijan still harbouring hopes of gaining a positive result that could propel them to the second qualifying round of the competition.
However, Lankaran, led by experienced Welsh coach John Toshack, were determined to avoid any surprises and immediately launched a series of attacks towards the Sliema’s goal with Brazilian striker Nildo Franca twice denied by goalkeeper Glenn Zammit in the opening stages.
Sliema’s best chance in the first half came on from an effort from skipper Alex Muscat that was blocked by Lankaran goalkeeper Antonio Doblas.
However, it was the hosts who took the lead on the half hour when Marin Orsulic played in Rahid Amirguliyev who hit past Zammit.
After the interval, the Wanderes tried to push more men forward to get back into the tie but Lankaran kept creating the better chances with Amirguliyev seeing his effort blocked by the Sliema defence.
The Wanderers came close to an equaliser on 71 minutes but Muscat’s shot was well saved by Doblas.
However, their hopes receded a minute later when Clifford Gatt Baldacchino was dismissed for a foul on Adrian Pit. Lankaran were also reduced to ten men six minutes from time when Elnur Abdullayev was shown a red card for a foul on Mark Scerri.
Sliema tried to pile up the pressure late on but Lankaran held on to their lead to complete a 2-1 aggregate win. The Azerbaijan side will now face Israel’s Maccabi Haifa in the second qualifying round.
In Vojvodina, Hibernians approached yesterday’s second leg against the Serbian side determined to exit the competition with a positive showing after last week’s disappointing 4-1 defeat at the Centenary Stadium.
As expected it was the hosts that made all the running and they took the lead on 40 minutes through Enver Alivovic.
However, Hibs hit back strongly and drew level two minutes later when Clayton Failla set up Obinna Obiefule who made it 1-1.
The Paolites started the second half brightly and on 47 minutes Marcelo Dias was brought down in the area by goalkeeper Marko Kordic. From the resultant penalty, Failla made it 2-1 for the visitors.
But Vojvodina soon clicked into gear and hit two goals in the space of five minutes through substitute Petar Skuletic on 62 and 67 minutes to go 3-2 ahead.
Hibs ended the match with ten men when Luis Edison was dismissed two minutes from time.
Vojvodina progressed 7-3 on aggregate and will now face Hungary’s Honved who trounced Celik, of Montenegro, 9-0 to progress 13-1 on aggregate.