Chukunyere says...'It's still 50-50'

Shelbourne may be the favourites to reach the second qualifying round of the Champions League - a lucrative tie against crack side Boavista awaits the winner - after last Wednesday's 2-2 draw at Ta' Qali but Ndubisi Chukunyere does not see it that way.

While acknowledging that his team's mission is difficult, the blistering Chukunyere, voted the Best Foreign Player in the Premier League in the first ever Malta Football Awards, believes that Hibs have still got a good chance of going through.

"It's difficult after the 2-2 draw but for me the tie is still 50-50. In the first leg, we were not inferior to Shelbourne and I feel that if our defence is more composed in the away tie, we will stand a better chance," Chukunyere told The Times yesterday.

On Wednesday, Hibs looked to have the game under their control as they came back from a goal down to lead 2-1 at half-time but Shelbourne's superior physical qualities enabled them to finish the game as the stronger side.

On Saturday, Shelbourne suffered a 5-0 defeat to Manchester United in a friendly at Tolka Park.

"Shelbourne started pre-season training in May and that made all the difference on Wednesday. Having said that, I believe that if we play the ball on the ground they would find it hard to cope. Shelbourne never stopped running but if we can get our passing right, it would be very difficult for them to dictate the game.

"The draw was a good result for Shelbourne and I expect them to be more aggressive on Wednesday because they will be playing at home.

"At Ta' Qali, Shelbourne also showed that they are very effective bringing the ball forward from the flanks because of the pace of their wingers. We have to block their flank players in the return leg," Chukunyere said.

The Nigerian striker went through his repertoire of agile dribbles and powerful runs that gave the Irish defence a torrid time in last Wednesday's match. His decisive performance, which had fans and critics alike purring with admiration, is likely to prompt Shelbourne player-manager Pat Fenlon to opt for man-marking tactics in Dublin. The Nigerian is unfazed.

"After my performance last Wednesday, I expect some tight marking in the away match but I'm not bothered. If I'm at the peak of my physical abilities, I am confident that I will have a good game," Chukunyere added.

The Hibs' players will definitely need some psychological pepping-up before Wednesday's return leg at Tolka Park as Maltese teams have a tendency to suffer from a lack of confidence when they face foreign opposition.

Chukunyere reassured that Robert Gatt, the Hibs' coach, knows how to restore the team's self-belief.

"The psychological aspect is very important in such games but in Robert Gatt, Hibs have a very good coach with the right attitude.

"Our coach knows the mentality of the Maltese players and has been working hard during training to inject confidence into the players. He has told us not to lose our head whatever the circumstances on Wednesday," Chukunyere concluded.

The Hibs' squad, headed by club president Tony Bezzina, will jet out to Heathrow and then to Dublin this morning. Towering defender Aaron Xuereb is expected to be declared fit to make the trip after he was plagued by groin problems.