Ireland Coach Relieved as Tense Israel Double-Header Ends

The 1-1 draw between the Republic of Ireland and Israel in the Nations League return leg once again saw tensions flare, capping a fortnight in which politics weighed as heavily as football. The fixture was the second of two meetings between the sides.

Ireland had previously faced pressure from some fans and politicians to boycott matches against Israel. In their first meeting a week earlier in Hungary, they won 3-0 in a game played behind closed doors.

"I am immensely relieved that it's over," Ireland's Icelandic coach, Heimir Hallgrimsson, told reporters.

"It took a lot of energy out of all of us. I give huge credit to the players. They performed extraordinarily in difficult circumstances, and I wouldn't want any national team to go through what we have gone through over the past two weeks."

Ireland is among the most outspoken European countries in criticising Israel's war in Gaza. The Football Association of Ireland decided to stage today's match in Serbia behind closed doors, amid pressure to withdraw from the fixtures.

But the absence of fans did little to ease tensions on the pitch.

According to Irish media, a member of Ireland's coaching staff, Damien Doyle, alleged that an Israel player spat at him after the half-time whistle.

Asked about the incident at the post-match press conference, Hallgrimsson declined to give details.

"I was there. I won't comment. This is a matter for the disciplinary body to look at," he said.

Israel coach Ran Ben-Shimon said he had left the technical area and did not see what happened.

"At half-time I was in the dressing room with the coaching staff; I didn't see anything. When I review it and check, I will answer you," he said.

Tense atmosphere repeats in Nations League

As in the first meeting, the two teams did not shake hands or exchange pennants before the match, and players from both sides bowed their heads during the opposing national anthems.

Ireland again wore black armbands to commemorate the victims of the war in Gaza, while Israel's players also wore black armbands to remember the victims of the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that sparked the war.

On the pitch, Troy Parrott put Ireland ahead from the penalty spot in the 39th minute, but Dor Peretz equalised early in the second half for Israel with the team's first shot on target.

Israel hit the woodwork twice in the second half of an uninspiring match, as neither side could find a decisive goal.

The draw leaves Ireland third in Group B3 with five points, three behind leaders Austria and below Kosovo on goal difference. Israel are bottom of the group with two points.

Coach Ben-Shimon was pleased with his team's response after the 3-0 defeat and rejected suggestions that his players were too physical.

"Going into the match, I told the players to play as cleanly as possible, but to be committed. I never tell anyone to hurt an opponent; that's not our way. We are human beings, very moral human beings," he said.