Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has warned that Tuesday's clash with Israel 'is not going to be a friendly', with tensions high ahead of the rematch in Serbia.
The two sides met twice during the international break, with the first fixture played amid calls for Ireland to boycott the match due to Israel's military action in Gaza. A UN-commissioned inquiry previously found Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
More than 73,000 people have been killed since Israeli military action was launched in response to the Hamas attack on the Nova Festival in southern Israel on October 7 2023, which killed approximately 1,200 people.
Players vote to play
Despite goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu deciding not to participate, a team vote saw his Ireland team-mates ultimately decide to fulfil the fixture. Ireland won that game 3-0 with goals from Troy Parrott, Adam Idah and Jack Moylan.
Ahead of the second showdown, hostilities have grown. Israel and West Ham winger Manor Solomon said: “Obviously they hate us, and we don’t like them.”
Hallgrimsson responds
In response, Hallgrimsson said: “This is not going to be a friendly. That’s why I’m saying that we need to use every second between now and the game to recover, to collect energy and be ready for the game not only physically but mentally.
“It will be tricky and challenging for the players to be ready. The medical team will work day and night to get them fit and fresh for that game. It’s just another football match but there’s more at stake for all of us.”
Ireland are set to fly to Serbia for the game, which is considered their 'home' fixture. Hallgrimsson said the feeling from supporters has been made loud and clear, adding: “I’m not going to lie. I didn’t know what to expect. The Stop The Game protest is loud. I don’t know how many but it has been loud.
“It was just good to see the support from the fans. I just want to repeat the appreciation for the fans showing up and supporting the players. It helped us a lot, giving us more pride to play for the country. We all feel more appreciated now than before this match.”
Empty stadium challenge
This weekend's game is set to take place in Backa Topola in northern Serbia. Asked what he knows about the town, Hallgrimsson replied: “Absolutely nothing.
“I just know that we’re staying in the hotel at the stadium. Also that it’s a one-and-a-half hour drive from the airport and a really good hotel they said. I didn’t need to know anything else.”
He added: “This four game window has been challenging and testing. It will be different, going from playing in front of 45,000 supporters to an empty stadium. This is another angle to this story and we just need to be ready for this one.”
Following the clash against Israel, Ireland will round off their fixtures with a showdown with Austria in Linz. Hallgrimsson's side sit third in their group with four points from three games.
