Hibs Euro rivals in 'almost impossible' claim amid sweltering Skopje fan demand and kick-off complaint
North Macedonians warm up for UEFA Conference League clash with important league win
Hibs Euro rivals KF Shkendija face an “almost impossible” challenge to have everyone fit and firing for Thursday’s all-or-nothing showdown in sweltering Skopje, according to Artim Polozani. And the boss of the North Macedonians has taken a pop at his own country’s league authorities for the timing of yesterday’s clash with title favourites Vardar.
Shkendija picked up an important league win away from home, with winger Fabrice Tamba coming off the bench to score two second-half goals. They trail Hibs 2-1 in their UEFA Conference League third qualifying round tie after losing at Easter Road last Thursday night.
Fatigue factor at play for Shkendija
Polozani, who said a number of his key men are struggling with fatigue after two rounds of domestic competition and two European qualifiers, is concerned about whether his team can cope with the physical demands of another high-intensity game at their temporary home in the country’s capital.
“From a psychological point of view, we are OK,” he said. “But we need to recover our energy - because it is almost impossible to play two matches in so many days.
“And I don't understand why this match was played at five o'clock. Having such a facility, I didn't understand why it was played at this time.
“We will definitely try to get through the round, but the level of the European competitions is not the same as the championship.
“So we need a goal to equalize first, then to definitely try to get through the next round. But we have to be careful because we have some players who have concerns, some of them today we tried to save their energy. But this is definitely because European competitions don't let you relax."
Double goal hero in supporter plea
Tamba, who came on at half-time and scored the decisive double after 52 and 72 minutes, believes the ‘home’ fans – Shkendija are planning to give away free tickets for a game being played about an hour from their home town of Tetovo – will play a huge role on Thursday, saying: “I think they will be important, of course. Because for the next game we need an incredible motivation.
“We have to be very strong mentally. We need everyone. We know we will have our fans there on Thursday - and we will give our best. This victory today will help us a lot."
Hibs head back to the Balkans looking to bury the memory of their painful 2-0 defeat to Kosovan side FC Malisheva in the second qualifying round. David Gray’s men eventually go through that tie courtesy of a 2-1 home win – and travel to North Macedonia with their own confidence soaring after yesterday’s history-making 2-1 win over Rangers at Ibrox.