Hallgrimsson insists Republic of Ireland will play second Israel game

The Republic of Ireland will still play their second game against Israel as planned, according to Heimir Hallgrimsson, even as the Israel-Gaza war keeps people divided over whether the match should go ahead.

The Republic of Ireland head coach spoke before Thursday’s game against Austria in Dublin, where he insisted the team’s intention remains unchanged. “The FAI (Football Association of Ireland) has said we are playing both games. That was our intention when we came into the camp and it is still our intention,” Hallgrimsson said. “We are trying to focus on the football. It is already decided we will fulfil the games.”

The Vote That Made the First Game Happen

The Republic of Ireland players chose to play Sunday’s closed-door match in Serbia after voting to go ahead with it. The vote was approved by a “significant majority”, according to David Courell, the FAI’s chief executive, who noted that the news conference began more than five hours later than scheduled.

Players did not engage in pre-match formalities, wore black armbands and bowed their heads during Israel’s national anthem. The game ended with a 3-0 win for the Republic of Ireland.

Before the vote was taken, the ‘Stop The Game’ campaign put forward an open letter asking the Republic of Ireland to leave the match. That campaign, run by the pressure group Irish Sport for Palestine, has pushed for the games to be cancelled.

Hallgrimsson has not confirmed that a squad meeting has taken place to decide whether to play the second game, and he says he is not aware of such a gathering.

Bazunu’s Decision and the Squad’s Response

Gavin Bazunu told reporters he felt it “would be wrong to participate”, which is why he made himself unavailable for both Saturday’s Israel games. Hallgrimsson responded positively to his decision, confirming that Josh Keeley, the Luton goalkeeper, will step into Bazunu’s role for the second match against Israel.

Before the Austria match, Bazunu has resumed training. Hallgrimsson praised both the Bolton player and his whole squad, but also hit out at the “lies” that had been reported about the goalkeeper’s decision.

“Gavin is a great lad. I’ve always had a good relationship with him and it’s probably more tough for him than the other players, but they have really welcomed him,” Hallgrimsson said. “There’s been a lot of lies said around all of this, but we welcome him back and he’s taken part, amazing.”

Azaz’s Family Ties and Emotional Control

Midfielder Finn Azaz has family links to Israel on his mother’s side. Hallgrimsson lauded the 26-year-old’s “incredible emotional control”.

“He’s been one of the persons I admire the most in how he conducted himself in all of this,” said Hallgrimsson. “It is about being a member of a team, so you need to listen to all opinions. To do your thing, to do your work with grace and understanding of all opinions.”

Sunday’s 3-0 victory saw the Southampton midfielder left as an unused substitute, and Hallgrimsson has yet to say if he will feature in the return fixture against Israel.

Security Concerns Over Thursday’s Austria Match

The wider context of the situation was acknowledged by Hallgrimsson, though he would not address the practical challenges facing the authorities.

“I must focus on football. I will let others think about security and those things,” he said. “We are playing Austria, the highest-ranked team in the group. I’m not going to allow outside noise to affect me focusing on football.”

In May, supporters threw tennis balls emblazoned with the Palestine flag onto the pitch during the Republic of Ireland’s most recent home game, a friendly against Qatar.

The Fixtures Ahead

Thursday’s game against Austria takes place in Dublin, with the second Israel fixture scheduled to follow. Hallgrimsson’s message to his players is simple: keep playing.

“Life goes on. He is a part of this group and I think that shows how strong the bond is between these players that even a thing like this is not breaking us,” Hallgrimsson said.

One fixture has been settled by the vote that created the first game, yet the wider dispute over it continues. The ‘Stop The Game’ campaign is still going strong, and the vote did nothing to resolve the question of whether a second game should ever take place.

The FAI has confirmed the games will take place, and Hallgrimsson has restated that stance. What the players encounter — protests, security checks, or queries from supporters — is still uncertain.

Hallgrimsson has made plain his intent: the Republic of Ireland will play the second Israel game. The players who voted to play the first match have already shown their position on the matter.

A majority of players expressed a willingness to play the first game through the vote. The tally did not resolve the larger question of whether they ought to do so.

Now comes the second Israel game, and the Republic of Ireland will attempt to concentrate solely on football.

Source material: “Republic of Ireland will play second Israel game – Hallgrimsson,” the BBC.

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