It was a disappointing night for Hibs stopper Ofir Marciano, as his nation Israel went down 3-2 to Slovenia.
The game was a big one in terms of Euro qualification, with both sides tied on eight points prior to the clash.
Second spot would go to the winner if Austria failed to beat Poland away from home, and sure enough, they drew 0-0. Marciano’s Israel weren’t able to captialise on the opportunity though.
Hibs stopper Marciano has to pick himself up
Trailing 1-0 at half time, Israel managed to get themselves in front just after the hour mark. Slovenia equalised shortly after though, before a last minute Benjamin Verbic strike snatched all three points.
It’s a blow for Israel and Marciano. He was riding high coming into this game after his first international match since 2017. That feeling will have been wiped away with this result.
It leaves Israel’s Euro 2020 hopes hanging on a knife edge. After failing to win their Nations League group, they now sit in fifth place in their group, with tough matches against Austria and Poland to come.
Marciano himself doesn’t have much time to reflect on this. He will be involved in another game of importance this weekend when Hibs take on Kilmarnock.
Paul Heckingbottom is under serious pressure from some fans and a 3-0 loss to Motherwell in their last match didn’t help things. Should results go against them and Hibs lose, Marciano could find himself bottom of the Premiership on Saturday evening.
It’s a situation Hibs have to avoid. Marciano will need to get over his international gloom quickly to help contribute effectively to Hibs’ big game in Ayrshire