Hibernians’ dreams of making history by qualifying to the third round of the UEFA Champions League were shattered yesterday in Tel-Aviv when Maccabi beat the local champions 5-1 to qualify 6-3 on aggregate.

After the brilliant first leg display at Kordin, Hibernians once again gave their best yesterday in the Israeli capital, and were even on the verge of qualifying when Rodolfo Soares obtained a precious equaliser early in the second half.

But the same Soares conceded a penalty some minutes and the Israeli champions quickly scored a third goal to practically seal Hibernians’ fate. Late in the game Hibernians threw in the towel as Maccabi scored two more goals to punish Hibernians to a heavy defeat.

As expected Maccabi went in search of an early goal after their 1-2 defeat in Malta seven days ago, and after some attempts went close on 13 minutes when Zahavi hit the post. However Hibs had their fair share of chances too, with shots from Cohen and Lima missing the target.

Goalkeeper Borg made some good saves half way through the first half as Maccabi were in full control, with Hibs’ only effort coming from a Gilmar freekick.

On 32 minutes Maccabi broke the deadlock when from a Zahavi freekick, Jorginho committed an own goal.

Hibs had a good reaction with Failla and Gilmar testing Juan Pablo. In the final moments of the first half, Borg saved a Ben Haim shot and on the other end a Gilmar freekick was well saved by Juan Pablo.

On the resumption Andrew Cohen tested the Maccabi custodian and on 52 minutes Hibernians drew level when from a Gilmar corner, Rodolfo Soares managed to beat Juan Pablo for a most precious away goal.

But the local champions’ joy was short lived as six minutes later the same Rodolfo Soares tripped Ben Haim and from the penalty spot Zahavi made no mistake. This goal upset the locals who suffered a deadly blow three minutes later when Ben Haim beat Jurgen Borg to make it 3-1 for Maccabi.

Hibs now had an uphill struggle facing them but did not give up with Juan Pablo denying Soares, and a Jackson Lima effort went just wide.

On 67 minutes Hibernians were unlucky when a Cohen effort hit the upright.

Eight minutes from time Maccabi sealed the issue when Igiebor scored their fourth goal. It was all over now with Hibernians suffering an undeserved fifth goal, again scored by Zahavi.

Maccabi – Juan Pablo, Shpungin, Ben Harush (Ziv 62 min), Ben Haim I, Carlos Garcia, Alberman, Zahavi, Miha (Ben Basat 86 min), Mitrovic, Igiebor, Ben Haim II (Itzhaki 81 min)

Hibernians – Borg, Rui Gomes, Agius, Jackson Lima, Soares, Kristensen (Bezzina 83 min), Failla, Marcelo Dias (Mbong 88 min), Cohen, Jorginho, Gilmar (Jorge Santos 63 min).

Referee – Andris Treimanis (Latvia)

Scorers – Jorginho 32 min og, Soares 52 min, Zahavi 58 min pen, Ben Haim II 61 min, Igiebor 82 min, Zahavi 90 min

Yellow cards – Ben Haim II, Garcia, Ben Basat, Gilmar, Kristensen, Cohen, Borg, Soares.