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Republic of Ireland take on Israel for the second time in a week with the controversial Nations League match to go ahead on neutral ground in Serbia.
Amid calls to boycott one of the most controversial matches in football due to the ongoing Israel-Gaza war, which led to the ‘Stop The Game’ campaign, Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side aim to bounce back after Austria’s late show salvaged a 2-2 draw in Dublin on Thursday.
Ireland won the first clash between the sides 3-0 in Hungary last weekend but it was a contentious contest as Irish players lowered their heads during the Israeli national anthem and wore black armbands, while an allegation of racist abuse towards Adam Idah by Israeli fans was not investigated because Uefa’s protocols were not correctly followed.
Ireland, who will be the ‘home’ side this time around, though the match will take place in the Serbian city of Backa Topola, have Troy Parrott in fine form after his stunning opener against Austria in midweek was just the latest sign that the Real Betis forward can lead this Irish team towards a major tournament.
Follow all the action in our live blog below:
Republic of Ireland press conference cut short after clashes
There was a request from the Irish press officer to keep the line of inquiry to “football questions”, and Hallgrimsson took a question about Finn Azaz’s availability.
A different Israeli journalist made claim of racism against the Irish players, an allegation that the Irish press officer said was “completely untrue”, before he ended the press conference as shouting continued.
How Ireland v Israel become the world’s most controversial fixture
The tension and anger ahead of the Nations League double header is seen as ‘unprecedented’ for a match between two countries not in conflict. Miguel Delaney explains:
What happened in last week’s game?
There was a small group of Israeli fans in the otherwise almost-empty stadium in Debrecen, Hungary, but an even smaller group of around 10 people without colors were celebrating when Troy Parrott broke the deadlock in the 13th minute.
There weren’t supposed to be any Irish fans present. Some Ireland supporters who managed to get tickets through the Israeli soccer federation told Irish broadcaster RTÉ that those had been canceled Saturday night.
Adam Idah made it 2-0 three minutes after Parrott’s opener and Jack Moylan got the third goal in the 25th.
It was 3-0 at halftime, but Ireland needed goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher at his best to deny Israel after the break, and tempers became frayed around the hour mark after a clash between Idah and Raz Shlomo. Both players were booked by German referee Harm Osmers.
Israel line-up
Israel XI: Tzur; Feingold, Nachmias, Stoinow, Revivo; Peretz, Do Peretz, Azoulay; Abada, Gloukh; Turgeman.
Subs: Eliasi, Glazer, Dasa, Gandelman, Shua, Baribo, Solomna, Levi, Mizrahi, Kanichowsky, Abu Farchi.
Ireland line-up
Ireland XI: Kelleher; O’Brien, Dunne, Scales; Moylan, Knight, Molumby, Coventry, Manning; Idah, Parrott.
Subs: O’Leary, Keeley, Kitching, Egan, Nagan, Lawal, Azaz, Phillips, Vata, Ogbene, Cannon, Elding.
What happened in last week’s game?
The Irish players were seen looking down at the turf and also held their hands behind their backs during the pre-match anthem, and Irish captain Dara O’Shea approached the center of the field for the pre-match talk with his hands still firmly clasped behind his back.
O’Shea shook hands with the referee and his assistants but there was no attempt to shake the hand of Israel captain Manor Solomon. While Irish national broadcaster RTE opted for reduced coverage.
Reserve goalkeeper Gavin Bazuno decided Saturday to boycott both of Ireland’s games against Israel because of what he said was his “personal belief that the killing of innocent people is wrong.”
Why is this game being played in Serbia?
The two teams had been due to meet at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on 4 October, but in June Uefa approved a request from the FAI to host the game overseas.
The sides also met at a neutral location, Debrecen, Hungary, for Israel’s ‘home’ match in Group B3 a week earlier.
“Following consultation with various stakeholders, the Association is of the view that operational challenges could impact on the delivery of the game on home soil, so the fixture will be played away from the Aviva Stadium,” the FAI said in a statement.
Possible line-ups
Republic of Ireland XI: Kelleher; Egan, O’Shea, Scales; O’Brien, Coventry, Molumby, Manning; Moylan; Idah, Parrott.
Israel XI: Glazer; Stoinov, Nachimas, Shlomo; Khalaily, E. Peretz, D. Peretz, Revivo; Solomon, Gloukh; Turgeman.
Team news
Defender James Abankwah is suspended for the Republic of Ireland, with Heimir Hallgrimsson likely to make changes elsewhere, too. Dara O’Shea’s partner is due to give birth, though he could still feature.
For Israel, Southampton goalkeeper Daniel Peretz has returned to Championship club after suffering a groin injury. Omri Glazer provides an alternative of relative experience.
