Republic of Ireland v Israel LIVE: Team news and latest updates after calls to boycott Nations League clash

There was a small group of Israeli fans in the otherwise almost-empty stadium in Debrecen, Hungary, but an even smaller group of around 10 people without colors were celebrating when Troy Parrott broke the deadlock in the 13th minute.

There weren’t supposed to be any Irish fans present. Some Ireland supporters who managed to get tickets through the Israeli soccer federation told Irish broadcaster RTÉ that those had been canceled Saturday night.

Adam Idah made it 2-0 three minutes after Parrott’s opener and Jack Moylan got the third goal in the 25th.

It was 3-0 at halftime, but Ireland needed goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher at his best to deny Israel after the break, and tempers became frayed around the hour mark after a clash between Idah and Raz Shlomo. Both players were booked by German referee Harm Osmers.

Israel XI: Tzur; Feingold, Nachmias, Stoinow, Revivo; Peretz, Do Peretz, Azoulay; Abada, Gloukh; Turgeman.

Subs: Eliasi, Glazer, Dasa, Gandelman, Shua, Baribo, Solomna, Levi, Mizrahi, Kanichowsky, Abu Farchi.

Ireland XI: Kelleher; O’Brien, Dunne, Scales; Moylan, Knight, Molumby, Coventry, Manning; Idah, Parrott.

Subs: O’Leary, Keeley, Kitching, Egan, Nagan, Lawal, Azaz, Phillips, Vata, Ogbene, Cannon, Elding.

The Irish players were seen looking down at the turf and also held their hands behind their backs during the pre-match anthem, and Irish captain Dara O’Shea approached the center of the field for the pre-match talk with his hands still firmly clasped behind his back.

O’Shea shook hands with the referee and his assistants but there was no attempt to shake the hand of Israel captain Manor Solomon. While Irish national broadcaster RTE opted for reduced coverage.

Reserve goalkeeper Gavin Bazuno decided Saturday to boycott both of Ireland’s games against Israel because of what he said was his “personal belief that the killing of innocent people is wrong.”

The two teams had been due to meet at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on 4 October, but in June Uefa approved a request from the FAI to host the game overseas.

The sides also met at a neutral location, Debrecen, Hungary, for Israel’s ‘home’ match in Group B3 a week earlier.

“Following consultation with various stakeholders, the Association is of the view that operational challenges could impact on the delivery of the game on home soil, so the fixture will be played away from the Aviva Stadium,” the FAI said in a statement.

Republic of Ireland XI: Kelleher; Egan, O’Shea, Scales; O’Brien, Coventry, Molumby, Manning; Moylan; Idah, Parrott.

Israel XI: Glazer; Stoinov, Nachimas, Shlomo; Khalaily, E. Peretz, D. Peretz, Revivo; Solomon, Gloukh; Turgeman.

Defender James Abankwah is suspended for the Republic of Ireland, with Heimir Hallgrimsson likely to make changes elsewhere, too. Dara O’Shea’s partner is due to give birth, though he could still feature.

For Israel, Southampton goalkeeper Daniel Peretz has returned to Championship club after suffering a groin injury. Omri Glazer provides an alternative of relative experience.

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the game via Amazon Prime Video pay-per-view.

The Nations League game is due to kick off at 7.45pm BST on Sunday 4 October at TSC Arena in Backa Topola, Serbia.

This encounter takes place in Serbia and comes a week after Ireland’s 3-0 win followed days of doubt over whether their squad would fulfil the fixture.

Manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has insisted that the focus is on football, though his side’s draw over Austria in Dublin on Thursday was briefly disrupted by protestors calling for a boycott of this game.

Israel, meanwhile, drew 0-0 with Kosovo between their two meetings with Ireland.