Ireland coach: The team will emerge stronger after the political challenges facing Israel

Ireland coach Heimir Hallgrimsson said on Saturday that his team will emerge from the international break stronger, after playing two matches surrounded by a tense political atmosphere against Israel, after fans and political figures demanded a boycott of them.

The two matches have been the focus of great attention since the draw was drawn in February, as Ireland is one of the European countries most critical of Israel's war in Gaza, and the country has witnessed numerous protests demanding that the national team not play them.

Opposition to Ireland playing against Israel was so intense that the Irish Football Association chose to hold the match behind closed doors in Baca Topola, a small Serbian town with a population of about 12,000, rather than in Dublin.

Backup goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, who declined to join the squad for the first match against Israel, will be absent again when the two teams meet in Serbia on Sunday, as will captain Dara O'Shea due to the birth of his child.

The Icelandic coach said in a press conference on Saturday: “On the football level, the most important thing that awaits us is to control our level of concentration and maintain focus on that match (against Israel), and not lose it.”

He added: “People in Ireland expressed strong feelings about this matter, and it is clear that this affects the players as well. “We want to perform well, but it will always be a challenge when the atmosphere is this tense.”

Thursday's match, which ended in a 2-2 draw with Austria in Dublin, witnessed two short protests, but a wonderful goal from Troy Parrott, and four points from the last two matches, eased the intensity of the political controversy surrounding the Irish team.

The Irish Football Association continues to investigate allegations that its players, Adam Edah and James Abankwah, were subjected to racist insults during the 3-0 win over Israel in Hungary last Sunday.

Hallgrimsson said: “It is a process conducted by our departments and then the European Football Association (UEFA) to consider it.”

He added: “I think both teams reported the matter.” “I just hope we can focus on football and that it will win in the end.”

The 59-year-old coach said that the difficulties the team faced would make it stronger.

He added: “Surviving this camp and emerging from it more cohesive as a team will be a huge victory for me. “I say this from the bottom of my heart.”

He continued: “I think that all the challenges that this team went through, and all the criticism, yes, I think that just standing as one team after this match will be a great victory for me, this group, and the Irish Federation.”