Ireland were held to a 1-1 draw by Israel in Serbia on Sunday, with the match played behind closed doors as Irish players repeated their protest over the war in Gaza.
Troy Parrott gave Ireland the lead from the penalty spot shortly before half-time, but Israel captain Dor Peretz equalised after the break to leave the teams sharing the points for the second time.
Ireland’s penalty was awarded after Jimmy Dunne was brought down inside the area. Parrott sent goalkeeper Assaf Tzur the wrong way to score his fourth goal in his past three international appearances.
Israel levelled when Oscar Gloukh’s shot struck Liam Scales and rebounded into the path of Peretz, who finished from close range.
The match at the TSC Arena in Serbia produced chances at both ends as both sides looked for a winner. Ireland substitute Chiedozie Ogbene was denied by an excellent save from Tzur, while Israel struck the post and crossbar on separate occasions.
The result leaves Ireland third in the group, three points behind leaders Austria. Austria had earlier drawn with Kosovo.
The game brought to a close a controversial international window, during which calls had intensified in Ireland for the national team to withdraw from its two fixtures against Israel because of the conflict in Gaza.
The “Stop the Match” campaign staged protests before and during Ireland’s meeting with Austria in Dublin. However, the Football Association of Ireland decided to fulfil both fixtures, which were played at neutral venues.
Ireland’s players again made their position clear before kick-off. They declined to shake hands with their Israeli opponents and bowed their heads while Israel’s national anthem was played.
They also wore black armbands in mourning for all those who have died in the war.
Israel’s players wore black armbands as a mark of respect for those killed in the attacks of 7 October 2023.
