Parrott, Idah and Moylan fire Ireland to 3-0 win over Israel amid Gaza storm
Ireland bury a stormy week in Debrecen
Football and politics are inseparable in the modern world, no matter how many people wish that weren't true. But whether the beautiful game can ease the ills of our age is another matter. After a week in which the issue of Irish support for the people of Gaza had turned this fixture into a battle of conscience — and genuine doubt over whether Heimir Hallgrimsson's side would even take to the field in Hungary — the Republic of Ireland answered in the best way they could: a commanding 3-0 win over Israel in their Nations League Group 3 meeting in Debrecen on Saturday night.
Strong and assertive from the first whistle, Ireland's forwards each scored a first-half goal to settle the contest, plenty of symbolic action along the way assuring those back home of the squad's feelings. What had been a week of internal angst produced, instead, collective resolve.
"It's probably been the toughest days of my coaching career," Hallgrimsson said after the match. "But it's not about me. It's about the players and they've shown today how much playing for Ireland means to them. They represented themselves on the pitch with dignity but also with the power of proud Irishmen. They've shown today how much playing for Ireland means to them and hopefully they will have the support of the Irish people."
An eerie, near-empty occasion
In a way the atmosphere in Debrecen was reminiscent of a match played during Covid. Every word uttered in the ground was audible and the nigh-on empty stands carried their own oppressive weight. As the nominal home side, Israel had been allowed a small delegation of fans — about 150 — doing their best to be excitable. Two blocks away stood the Irish contingent, around a dozen people who had got into the ground despite the FAI's decision not to bring an away allocation, all stood hands in pockets in a stairway.
The odd, almost haunted mood was heightened further by Ireland's mannered approach to the pre-match rituals. Irish staff faced away from the pitch when their national anthem was played. Ireland's players, all wearing black armbands, stared at the ground during Israel's. There was no exchanging of pennants and no shaking of hands, with both squads hurried away from the centre circle into their own huddles.
Bazunu's decision and Azaz's omission
The game had come close to being abandoned on Saturday, when goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu made himself unavailable for selection — a decision that prompted emotional exchanges among players and management. Hallgrimsson therefore picked a team with defender Jimmy Dunne nominally a third goalkeeper, and also dropped key forward Finn Azaz to the bench in one of five changes to the side that lost meekly to Kosovo. Azaz's mother holds Israeli citizenship and the Southampton forward was reported to have made an impassioned contribution to Saturday's discussion.
"Today we thought others would fit this game better than him," Hallgrimsson explained.
Three goals in eleven minutes
After all the soul-searching, Ireland decided the contest in just 11 first-half minutes. Troy Parrott opened the scoring in the 14th minute, turning home a low shot through the body of goalkeeper Daniel Peretz after impressive work on the right by wing-back James Abankwah.
Two minutes later the lead was doubled when, running on the shoulder of the last defender, Adam Idah collected a smart through ball from Jack Moylan and wrapped a calm finish inside Peretz's left-hand post. In the 25th minute Moylan got a goal of his own — his fourth in as many caps to continue a stellar start to his international career — driving 25 yards into the box before shooting low into the net. Moylan wheeled away to the corner flag, took off his black armband and kissed it.
Scuffles, IDF chants and Ben Shimon's defiance
Israel raised their levels momentarily in the second half, with substitute Dor Peretz drawing one excellent save from Caoimhín Kelleher. But ultimately the game deteriorated into a series of scuffles, cheered on deliriously by the Israeli support, who appeared to be chanting for the IDF as the final whistle blew.
Israel manager Ran Ben Shimon was asked by Israeli media after the match if he would resign following the defeat. The answer was no. "We didn't handle the pressure well, that is obvious — we failed mentally, we failed tactically," Ben Shimon said. "But in a few days there is another game. We will have to find the energy to rise again."