Hibs booed by own fans after galling Conference League defeat in Kosovo
Gray’s men will need to overturn two-goal deficit at Easter Road after dismal display
Hibs were booed by their own fans after tumbling to an embarrassing 2-0 defeat by FK Malisheva in the first leg of their Conference League second qualifying round tie.
A first-half strike from Kreshnik Uka and then a late effort from Valmir Nafiu gave Malisheva the victory at Stadium Fadil Vokrri Stadium in the Kosovan capital of Pristina.
It means David Gray’s side have it all to do at Easter Road next week if they are to progress in Europe. The Hibs head coach spoke pre-match of the club’s ambitions of reaching the main phase of the Conference League and failing to overcome the Kosovans would be a major blow for the club.
The Hibs fans who had made the trip to the Balkans jeered the players off the pitch after the visitors failed to break down a stubborn and spirited Malisheva team, who had defeated Albanian outfit Vllaznia 5-0 a week ago to secure a date with Hibs.
This was Hibs’ first competitive match of the season and they struggled to acclimatise to a tricky pitch and temperatures in Pristina, which touched 30C. They were also clumsy in possession, with the midfielders toiling to take a grip of the game.
However, Gray’s men had their chances, in particular on-loan striker Nathan Lowe, who hit the post at the start of the second half and then fired wide when one-on-one with Malisheva keeper Illir Avdyli. Owen Elding also saw an early header cleared off the line, while Miguel Chaiwa slashed a presentable opportunity over the bar from 12 yards out.
Malisheva were far more clinical when the chances came their way. They found the net on 21 minutes when Arlind Veliu squared the ball for Uka and he slid the ball past Hibs keeper Raphael Sallinger. The same player played in Nafiu on 89 minutes and he finished high beyond Sallinger to give the capital side a mountain to climb.
The match ended tempestuously as both Gray and his Malisheva counterpart Thomas Brdaric were shown yellow cards for protesting against decisions.
Hibs will have to improve significantly if they are to overturn the deficit next Thursday when Malisheva made the trip to Edinburgh. The winner will play either Bravo of Slovenia or Macedonian side Shkendija.
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