Ireland to Decide on Israel Match After Austria Fixture
Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson confirmed the squad will play their Nations League match against Austria at the Aviva Stadium this Thursday before deciding whether to fulfill a second fixture against Israel in Serbia on Sunday. The decision follows a 3-0 victory over Israel in Debrecen, which occurred only after the squad held a vote to determine if they should play.
Player Vote and Squad Division Over Israel Fixture
The Irish squad faced a internal divide leading up to the first match against Israel. According to Heimir Hallgrímsson, players from different backgrounds held varying opinions on whether to participate. This tension resulted in a four-hour debate among the 22 players present before they conducted an anonymous vote.
David Courell, the association’s chief executive, stated the vote returned a “significant majority” in favor of fulfilling the fixture. While not officially released, the vote is believed to have been 14-8 in favor of playing. Hallgrímsson described the situation as being similar to politics, where some parties simply cannot work together.
Gavin Bazunu’s Absence and Selection Status
Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu informed Hallgrímsson that he was unwilling to participate in the games against Israel. Bazunu withdrew from the first match on Saturday morning and will not travel with the squad to Bačka Topola on Friday. However, Hallgrímsson confirmed that Bazunu remains available for selection for the upcoming match against Austria.
Hallgrímsson’s Leadership and Euro 2028 Outlook
The manager admitted the recent events have been “testing physiologically,” noting that such situations cannot be taught in leadership courses. Despite the friction, Hallgrímsson believes the experience could strengthen the bond between players by creating an “us against the world” mentality.
When questioned about his enthusiasm to remain manager through Euro 2028, Hallgrímsson indicated that while the period was difficult, the players’ desire to represent their country ultimately led to a positive result on the pitch.
Upcoming Nations League Schedule
- Thursday: Republic of Ireland vs. Austria (Aviva Stadium)
- Friday: Squad travel to Bačka Topola (pending decision on Israel match)
- Sunday: Potential fixture vs. Israel (Serbia)
Worth a look