Kristijan Belić's night as a Maccabi Tel Aviv substitute lasted barely eight minutes. Sent on in the 64th minute of Thursday's Conference League second qualifying round first leg against Sheriff Tiraspol, the Serbian midfielder went down clutching an injury just six minutes later and had to be helped off the pitch in the 72nd, according to ONE.
The outlet reported that Belić lay on the turf for close to two minutes signalling he could not continue, before leaving the field in visible distress, "crying in frustration" as he was escorted away. Dan Glazer came on in his place.
It capped a frustrating few days for the 24-year-old, who had already been battling a knock heading into the match. Sport1 reported that Belić failed to complete Thursday morning's session in full, leaving his availability in doubt right up to kickoff.
None of it took the shine off Maccabi's evening. The yellows were ruthless in Moldova, racing into a 2-0 lead inside the opening half-hour through Saied Abu Farhia and Dor Peretz, before Sagiv Jehezkel, a second Abu Farhia goal from the penalty spot and Issouf Sissokho turned a comfortable lead into a rout by the final whistle.
A 5-0 first-leg score in a two-legged European qualifier all but settles the tie before Maccabi even host the return fixture, sparing Kenny Miller's side any late nerves over Belić's fitness for the second leg — though the club will now be assessing the extent of the injury.
Belić arrived at Maccabi last summer on loan from AZ Alkmaar, having previously come through Partizan Belgrade and represented Serbia at senior international level. The club has since exercised its option to sign him permanently, on a contract running through 2029, making him one of the squad's more significant long-term investments — and adding weight to any concern over a fresh injury setback.
