HIBERNIANS 2 MACCABI TEL-AVIV 1
Fearless Hibernians produced a great comeback in the second half of the first leg of their Champions League qualifying round tie to conjure up a dramatic finale where they struck twice to down the more-fancied Maccabi-Tel-Aviv.
After Birkirkara’s exploits, it was surely another great advert for Maltese football.
The early stages lacked goalmouth action but after six minutes, Gil Vermouth cut through the defence and hit a fine shot that Jurgen Borg did well to touch away for a corner.
Maccabi enjoyed the lion’s share of possession but Hibernians were rarely stretched beyond normal routine. A whiff of anticipation swept through the Paolites after 20 minutes when Dias cross from the right flank reached Gilmar but his swerving shot finished just wide.
As is so often the case when the Maltese sides take on foreign teams, Maccabi looked sharper and put away the chances they create. In fact, as Hibs were trying to gain a foothold on the match, they suffered a blow. Tal Ben Chaim’s cross caused panic in the Hibs defence and Emmanuel Igiebor had an easy task to slot the ball past Borg from close range.
After 26 minutes, an inswinging cross from Eytan Tibi spelled danger for Hibs as the ball dropped in the goalmouth where Rodolfo Soares intercepted the well-positioned Eden Ben Bassat as the Paolites toiled to drag themselves back into contention.
In the 37th minute, Jackson Lima’ s sweetly-struck free-kick took a deflection to almost surprise Juan Pablo Colinas Ferreras, the Maccabi goalkeeper but the ball finished wide.
Hibernians raised their game after the change of ends and Gilmar burst through midfield to set up Jorginho, who, after taking a touch to wrong-foot an opponent, came face to face with the goalkeeper but Gal Alberman recovered his position to clear the danger.
The home team’s improved showing lifted the spirits of their vocal fans but really threatened the Maccabi goalkeeper. With over 25 minutes remaining, Nisevic introduced Jorge for Gilmar.
After 74 minutes, Hibernians’ efforts paid off when Jackson Lima made good progress on the right flank in a prolonged move, his first cross was repelled but the ball rolled back to the Brazilian whose inswinger fizzed across the face of goal and to the far post where Jorginho leapt to head the ball home.
It was all Hibernians now amid the noise of the ecstatic crowd. The Israeli defenders were having a torrid time trying to tame Andrew Cohen and co., repeatedly resorting to fouls and conceding a number of free-kicks in key areas. So it was inevitable that Hibs’ qualities were becoming important on set-pieces were to apply more pressure on their opponents. In fact, six minutes from time, Hibs were to deliver the final blow when Jackson Lima rose above everyone to head home from a free-kick by Cohen.
Although Hibs were enduring some nervy moments late on they still managed to threaten again but Failla’s inswinger was punched away.