Di second Republic of Ireland versus Israel fixture don land for Bačka Topola, Serbia, inside TSC Arena, and dem go play am behind closed doors. Di match kick-off na 14:45 on Sunday 4 October. Dem move di game from Dublin go Serbia, a neutral venue, because of operational, safety and security concerns.
Bačka Topola na small town of about 12,000 people, one hour and 40-minute drive north of Belgrade. Di place no too known for footballing prowess. Dem sabi am well well for nearby stud farm and a picturesque lake. But di town get TSC Arena, one impressive small stadium with 4,500 seats. Na home of Serbian second division outfit FK TSC, and di stadium don host Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv European home matches in recent years.
When reporter reach town yesterday, many shops along di quiet main street closed. Like last week match against Israel for Debrecen, Hungary, something dey off for Republic of Ireland fixture on continent. No green jerseys. No chants of Olé, Olé, Olé for town streets. Di only cluster of locals dey for Gradska Kafana pub on main street, where groups of men chat for tables and enjoy pint of local ale. Barman Milan Guzina talk say, About this game, I hear nothing. Another local man, Tomislav Savic, say he only hear about di match that morning. He talk say, It will be very good for our economy and our town. Mr Savic explain say he expect guests to arrive for Bačka Topola for di match. Reporter politely tell am say di game go play behind closed doors and few, if any fans likely show up. Still, visitors fit expect good, kind people and lots of beer, he talk.
While filming on main street, Republic of Ireland and Real Betis star striker Troy Parrott waka up main street to join teammates inside café. Jake O’Brien tall stature easy to spot at head of another group of players, soon to be followed by Caoimhin Kelleher, Liam Scales and Conor Coventry in next group. E sum up di oddity of dis international fixture. Yet not everyone dey taken aback say today match dey happen for Bačka Topola. Another local man, who no want make dem name am, talk say e make sense for local side FK TSC to host di match as di stadium go be one of di venues for next year UEFA under-21 European Championship, to be co-hosted by Serbia and Albania. Today fixture na di second international match to play here. Serbia play friendly against Saudi Arabia for di stadium last February, winning 2-1.
Di walkabout through town come few hours after Irish press conference end abruptly after only 14 minutes. An Israeli journalist accuse Irish players say dem call Israeli players monkeys during last weekend game for Hungary. At that point, FAI press officer Kieran Crowley call di accusation completely untrue and stop di conference. Di same Israeli journalist then try join separate Irish media briefing for another room inside di stadium but dem no allow am attend. Di altercation sum up di tense atmosphere wey don follow dese two fixtures. Both Republic manager Heimir Hallgrímsson and Israeli manager Ran Ben-Shimon insist during dia respective conferences say dem want dia players focus on football. But e don impossible to separate di political debate wey precede dese two games from events on di pitch. Dem no know yet whether any fans go show for Bačka Topola for tonight match. Dem designate am as Republic home game against Israel, and e go happen without fans. For Irish players, who play Austria in front of more than 45,000 cheering fans at Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Thursday, e go no doubt be unusual experience to again play in front of empty house. Tonight match go happen without most inhabitants of Bačka Topola giving am second thought, oblivious to fact say dia hometown dey host one of di most controversial fixtures in history of Irish soccer.
For di field, Ireland open dia Nations League campaign with 1-0 defeat away to Kosovo before responding with 3-0 victory over Israel at Nagyerdei Stadion in Debrecen, Hungary. Last time out, Heimir Hallgrímsson side surrender two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at home to Austria. Ireland had 42% possession and three shots on target, with Troy Parrott scoring both goals. Israel start dia Nations League campaign with 3-1 defeat away to Austria, followed by 3-0 loss against Ireland. Most recently, Blue and White pick up dia first point by battling to goalless draw against Kosovo in Hungary. Israel had three shots on target and 46% possession. Ireland secure convincing 3-0 victory when dese nations meet at Nagyerdei Stadion just a week ago. Di result edge Boys in Green ahead for all-time head-to-head record against Israel, with Ireland having claim two wins, three draws and one defeat across dia six meetings.
Ireland confirmed lineup na 3-4-2-1: Caoimhin Kelleher as goalkeeper, Jake O’Brien, Jimmy Dunne, Liam Scales, Jason Knight, Jack Moylan, Conor Coventry, Ryan Manning, Adam Idah, Jayson Molumby and Troy Parrott. Israel confirmed lineup na 3-2-4-1: Assaf Tzur as goalkeeper, Ilay Feingold, Idan Nachmias, Nikita Stoinov, Liel Abada, Roy Revivo, Dor Peretz, Eliel Peretz, Ethane Azoulay, Oscar Gloukh and Dor Turgeman.
We dey under way in Serbia for Republic of Ireland last game in dis extended international window. A quiet start to di game in Serbia. Israel get turn to have spell of sustained possession. Caoimhin Kelleher dey called into action for first time as he sprawls to turn Liel Abada shot behind for corner. Jake O’Brien head away di resulting delivery. Ryan Manning divert Liel Abada low cross behind for di game first corner. Israel short corner routine eventually see Ethane Azoulay have a go from distance but him effort well wide.
Some bright moments for Irish. Adam Idah test Assaf Tzur. Idah stride forward and unleash dipping effort which goalkeeper forced to parry away. Jack Moylan slip in Troy Parrott, who has a go from tight angle but he just curl him shot wide of far post. Jake O’Brien throw cause problems for Israel as e eventually fall to Troy Parrott, who has ball taken off him toes before he can shoot. Troy Parrott slip in Adam Idah, who sidestep defender before trying to spread ball out to Ryan Manning on left-hand side. Liel Abada do well to get back and draw foul from Southampton man. Jayson Molumby is sent tumbling by Ethane Azoulay and Republic of Ireland get another free-kick in good position. Republic of Ireland then win free-kick in decent possession, but poor delivery from Ryan Manning sail out of play. Jayson Molumby is found on edge of box by Jack Moylan and him powerful first time effort land just wrong side of near post. That all come after another well-worked throw-in, this time from Ryan Manning with Jimmy Dunne providing flick on. Nikita Stoinov do well to deal with threat of Jack Moylan, who win him side throw in which Jake O’Brien will launch into box. A really poor free-kick from Jack Moylan, who try take am short but play am straight to Liel Abada.
