Ireland vs Israel: Nations League clash in Serbia
Was being played in Backa Topola, Serbia, after UEFA moved the fixture away from Dublin for operational reasons. The Republic of Ireland had already beaten…
BACKA TOPOLA, Serbia — ireland vs israel took place in an unusual setting on Sunday night, with the Republic of Ireland’s “home” game moved out of Dublin and staged at the TSC Arena in Backa Topola. UEFA said the match was played in Serbia because of “operational aspects”.
The fixture kicked off at 19:45 BST, a week after Ireland beat Israel 3-0 in the teams’ previous meeting. This one began quietly. The first few minutes brought a series of throws, half-chances and one early save rather than clear scoring chances.
Caoimhin Kelleher was forced into his first action when he sprawled to turn Liel Abada’s shot behind for a corner after Israel had built a spell of pressure. Ryan Manning then diverted a low cross behind for the game’s first corner, before Israel’s short routine ended with Ethane Azoulay sending a shot well wide.
At the other end, Ireland started to find some rhythm from set pieces. Jake O’Brien’s throw caused problems for Israel and eventually reached Troy Parrott, though the forward had the ball taken off his toes before he could shoot. Jayson Molumby later met a Jack Moylan pass on the edge of the box, but his powerful first-time effort drifted just the wrong side of the near post.
That sequence came after another well-worked throw, with Ryan Manning supplying the delivery and Jimmy Dunne flicking the ball on. It was one of several moments that showed Ireland looking most dangerous when they could pack the box and turn restarts into pressure.
Israel also worked the ball into some promising areas. Liel Abada twice caused problems, first drawing Kelleher into a save and later getting back well to stop Adam Idah after the Ireland forward had slipped inside him and tried to spread play to the left.
The match carried extra weight beyond the football itself. Yahoo Sport described it as a politically charged Nations League clash, and said Ireland’s draw with Austria in Dublin on Thursday was briefly disrupted by protestors calling for a boycott of the game. Manager Heimir Hallgrimsson had insisted the focus stayed on football.
That matters because the venue change turned a normal group fixture into a logistical oddity. Supporters who expected Dublin got Serbia instead, and the game’s staging underlined how off-field issues can reshape even a routine international window. For Ireland, the setting also made the result feel less like a standard home match and more like another test of focus under pressure.
Israel were listed with Amir Tzur in goal and a front line including Dor Turgeman, while Ireland named Caoimhin Kelleher, Jake O’Brien, Jimmy Dunne, Dara Scales, Jayson Molumby, Conor Coventry, Jack Moylan, Ryan Manning, Adam Idah and Troy Parrott. The game remained tight after the opening exchanges, with neither side finding a breakthrough in the early stages.
Republic of Ireland had won the previous meeting 3-0. This rematch was still scoreless as the first half unfolded in Backa Topola.
Source: bbc.com
