The Republic of Ireland and Israel meet again in the Nations League, this time behind closed doors in Serbia, amid ongoing tensions linked to the conflict in Gaza. The match at the TSC Arena comes after Irish manager Heimir Hallgrimsson made strong comments before the first meeting between the sides earlier in the international break.
Background and Build-Up
The Icelandic boss remarked that his side would be “playing against genocide” before the two teams met in Debrecen, Hungary, two weeks ago, a match Ireland won 3-0. Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu also withdrew from the Ireland squad over his beliefs concerning the conflict in Palestine, and the Israeli FA responded sharply to Hallgrimsson’s comments on social media.
This match was moved to a neutral location in Serbia due to security concerns, and it is being played behind closed doors, creating an eerie atmosphere inside the 4,500-capacity venue.
Team News and Lineups
Heimir Hallgrimsson confirmed that Dara O’Shea misses out, with Jimmy Dunne replacing him. O’Shea pulled out of the squad with his wife set to give birth ahead of this game. Finn Azaz is on the bench due to fitness concerns.
Ireland XI: Kelleher; Dunne, O’Brien, Scales, Manning; Molumby, Coventry; Moylan, Knight; Idah, Parrott. Subs: O’Leary, Keeley, Kitching, Egan, Bagan, Lawal, Azaz, Phillips, Vata, Ogbene, Cannon, Elding.
Israel XI: Tzur; Feingold, Nachimas, Stoinov, Revivo; Peretz, Peretz, Azoulay; Gloukh, Abada, Turgeman. Subs: Eliasi, Baribo, Farhi, Dasa, Gandelman, Glazer, Kanichowsky, Levi, Mizrahi, Shua, Solomon.
Match Incidents and Reactions
The game is underway with no handshakes, and Irish players bowed their heads during the Israeli anthem. UEFA officials will manage both post-match press conferences for Ireland and Israel in Serbia, and it is believed that neither of the Israeli journalists who disrupted the pre-match briefings will be present this evening.
Israel captain Manor Solomon was enraged with the Ireland players after the first game in Hungary. “They don't interest me,” the West Ham winger said. “We have a country ten times better than theirs, stronger, an amazing country with amazing people. We are proud to wear the team shirt and to be Israelis. We are proud of our state and of our soldiers. They can play all their tricks. If I say what I think of them, I'd likely be suspended for a few matches... Obviously they hate us. We don't like them.”
Press Conference Disruption
Hallgrimsson’s pre-match press conference was stopped abruptly yesterday. The Icelandic boss was asked by an Israeli reporter for his thoughts on an incident earlier in the week where an airline passenger reportedly tried to breach the cockpit of a FlyDubai flight traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Hallgrimsson refused to engage in non-footballing geopolitical safety questions.
A second reporter then counter-alleged that it was the Irish players who had hurled racist slurs at Israeli players on the pitch during the match in Hungary. FAI communications director Kieran Crowley stepped in immediately, declaring the accusation “completely untrue” and “a lie”. When the journalist refused to return the floor microphone to moderators and continued heckling, Crowley signaled an abrupt end to the briefing, prompting Hallgrimsson to walk out.
Black Armbands and Other Updates
The Israeli FA confirmed ahead of this match that UEFA had accepted their request to sport black armbands, to commemorate those lost in the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.
