Hibernians FC 2
Maccabi Tel Aviv 1
Hibernians FC: J. Borg, RF Gomes, J. Lima, R. Soares, M. Dias, A. Cohen (J. Bezzina), B. Kristensen, C. Failla, A. Agius, J. Da Silva Pereira (J. Mbong), G. Da Silva Ribeiro (J. Santos Silva).
Maccabi Tel Aviv: G. Alberman, T. Ben Chaim, D. Miha, E. Tibi, N. Mitrovic (O. Ben Harush), JP Colinas, T. Ben Haim, GN Vermouth (B. Itzhaki), C. Garcia, E. Igiebor, E. Ben Basat.
Referee: S. Lapochkin (Russia).
Asst refs: N. Golubev, A. Lebedev.
Scorers: E. Igiebor 22, J. Da Silva Pereira 74, J. Lima 85
4th official: I. Fedotov.
Yellow cards: B. Kristensen, J. Lima, O. Ben Harush, E. Ben Basat, M. Dias, D. Miha,
Attendance: 1,473
Jorginho and Lima are Hibs’ heroes as Paolites stun Maccabi
Henry Brincat
Jorge da Silva Pereira (Jorginho) and Jackson Lima became Hibernians’ heroes yesterday evening as they scored second half goals to turn a 1-0 half time deficit into a 2-1 victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv of Israel.
It was a very prestigious result – requested the day before by coach Branko Nisevic – for the Paolites who thus remain seriously in contention for next week’s second leg in Tel Aviv in this second qualifying round tie.
It was a deserved win for the Paolites who showed character to come back strongly in the second half and turn the tables over the Israelis.
Hibs mentor Branko Nisevic started with his typical formation for this season with Jurgen Borg taking the place of Henry Bonello who is now on loan at Valletta FC, as well as striker Gilmar Pereira who took the place of Tarabaj.
In the first half, the visitors appeared to be a stronger side creating some good chances apart from taking a deserved one-goal lead.
They were certainly the best side on the field of play, but Hibernians were not staring at them either. In fact, Nisevic’s boys moved forward with purpose whenever they were given the chance but both Gilmar and Jorginho were erratic in their conclusions.
In the second half, Hibs moved forward much more frequently in search of an equaliser, but Maccabi were well organised at the back and goalie Levy was rarely, if ever, tested seriously by the Hibs strikers, before the Paolites eventually equalised – a richly deserved leveller.
Youngster Jurgen Borg had an exciting debut in the Hibs goal. He was never at fault in the goal suffered and he was also reliable effecting some very good interventions which inspired his team-mates.
Agius, Soares and Gomes were also outstanding at the back while Failla, Dias, Lima, Kristensen and Cohen never stopped in midfield though they found it hard to match their opponents. Up front, Jorginho and Gilbert were somewhat disappointing in the first half, but Jorginho improved considerably in the second, also going on to score the equaliser before Lima added the winner later.
It was Hibernians who had the first shot with Jorge Da Silva Pereira hitting wide from the edge of the area on 4 minutes.
A minute later, at the other end, Rui Gomes slipped in midfield allowing Mitrovic to set Vermouth completely free on the right flank. But out came Jurgen Borg to smother the shot, sending the ball to a corner.
In the 10th minute it was Gilmar who sent the ball well over from a rovesciata off a Jackson Lima cross.
Hibs went very close to opening the score on the 21st minute. Dias advanced on the right flank and set up Jorginho on the edge of the area. The latter volleyed beautifully but just wide off the target.
Soon after, the goal arrived, but unfortunately at the other end. It was Ben Haim who passed to Igiebor who hit hard into the Hibs net.
In the 26th minute, it was Igiebor who ran down the right flank to cross for Ben Basat whose shot was blocked by a Hibs defender to a corner.
In the 29th minute, Hibs were awarded a freekick just outside the area, but Failla’s shot was blocked by the Israeli wall. A few minutes later, Maccabi were unlucky not to add a second goal when a Mitrovic freekick was deviated to Ben Haim who hit the left upright.
In the 35th minute, Hibs were awarded another freekick. Failla’s effort was deviated just wide of the target.
Just before the interval, in another Maccabi attack, Vermouth crossed into the goalmouth, but Igiebor, one of their best players, headed just wide.
In the 51st minute, Gilmar set Jorginho in the Israeli area, but a Maccabi defender cleared to corner in extremis.
Soon after, at the other end, Maccabi protested for a penalty when Ben Basat fell in the area, but they only got a yellow card to their player for simulation.
In the 57th minute, Rui Gomes tried his luck from the distance, but his grounder went wide of the Israeli goal.
Hibernians insisted and were richly rewarded for their efforts in the 74th minute when they equalised. From a cross by Lima, the Israeli defence was caught napping and Jorginho came in from the blind side to head into the net.
And it was not over as the score became 2-1 for Hibs in the 85th minute. From a Cohen freekick, it was Jackson Lima who rose above friend and foe to head home into the net, sending the Paolites’ fans into raptures.
In added time, Kristensen also had a good chance to add a third goal, but his shot from the edge of the area went well over the bar.
At the end, the Paolites certainly deserved the applause of their fans – those who remained at home missed one of the most glorious moments in the Paolites’ history.