Ireland and Israel share spoils in ill-tempered Nations League clash behind closed doors

Troy Parrott ’s first-half penalty was cancelled out after the break as the Republic of Ireland played out a 1-1 Nations League draw with Israel behind closed doors in Serbia. The Republic’s ‘home’ fixture was held on neutral territory at the 4,500-seat TSC arena in Backa Topola , due to “operational challenges” amid an ugly atmosphere between the two sides due to tensions over the Israel-Gaza war. Parrott, who has now scored 10 times in his last seven competitive internationals, fired the Republic in front from the spot in the 39th minute before Dor Peretz drew the sides level two minutes after the restart. There was a clash between players and their staff as they entered the tunnel at half-time, with security intervening to separate them and referee Juan Martinez Munuera warning both to “be clever”. As in the reverse fixture, a 3-0 win in Hungary, Republic players bowed their heads during the Israel anthem and captain Caoimhin Kelleher - on for the absent Dara O’Shea - did not shake hands with Peretz, though both exchanged handshakes with officials. Both sides wore black armbands. The Republic’s, the same as in Hungary to acknowledge – as the Football Association of Ireland chief David Courrell explained before that contest – “all lives lost” in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Israel’s armbands – which read “7.10” – were to commemorate the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack on southern Israel. The pitch featured no sponsored content or branding, just UEFA graphics with slogans like “football for all”, a decision taken by the FAI. Israel goalkeeper Assaf Tzur palmed away an early Adam Idah attempt at his near post before Parrott skimmed a shot across the face of goal a few moments later. The visitors enjoyed a lengthy spell in the hosts’ half, but it was Jayson Molumby who had the next real chance when he blasted a shot just wide in the 22nd minute. Troy Parrott has scored 10 of Ireland’s last 13 competitive goals (Reuters) The Republic had started to find a bit more fluidity when Dunne won the penalty, after arriving at the post to try tucking home a rebound from an earlier saved Parrott effort. Tzur scrambled to smother the ball, and Dunne was brought down under the challenge of Peretz. The Republic were awarded the penalty after a lengthy VAR check, and Parrott stepped up and sent Tzur the wrong way as he fired into the bottom corner. Tensions rose at half-time after a fracas broke out in front of the tunnel and players from both sides engaged in a heated argument. Peretz levelled the scoring two minutes after the restart. An Oscar Gloukh effort took a favourable deflection off Liam Scales and into the path of the acting Israel captain, who gave Kelleher no chance with a low finish. The second half remained more end-to-end than the first, but lacking end product and quality from both sides, with the exception of an effort by substitute Chiedozie Ogbene with just over 15 minutes remaining, which required a fingertip save from Tzur, followed by a woodwork-clipping Gloukh effort. Officials broke up a second altercation in three minutes of added time, and there were more heated words exchanged after the final whistle. PA