Kevin Sharkey
BBC News NI in Backa Topolo

The only way to describe the traditional pre-match atmosphere and build-up here in the TSC Arena in Backa Topola is that there was none.

No fans, no singing, no chanting, no cheers or indeed, boos when the two teams ran onto the pitch. Surreal, bizarre, rare – take your pick.

This is a pristine, state of the art 4,500-seater stadium with every single supporter’s seat and standing space unoccupied except for the odd official or security staff.

We can only imagine what both sets of players are making of it all.

An early spell of possession for Republic of Ireland as they feel their way into the game.

They will look for another fast start which they made in Hungary last week.

We are under way in Serbia for Republic of Ireland's last game in this extended international window.

As was the case in last week's fixture in Hungary, Republic of Ireland players bowed their heads for the Israeli anthem and did not engage in pre-match handshakes.

Image source, Inpho

Israel are wearing black armbands in memory of those who died on 7th October 2023 attacks.

The two teams are out on the pitch ahead of the anthems.

FAI President Paul Cooke is one of the few in attendance for this behind closed doors game.

Image source, Getty Images

This has been a challenging international window for the Republic of Ireland, with the Israel fixtures dominating discourse in Irish football.

Since the teams were drawn together in February, a 'Stop The Game' campaign was launched by the pressure group Irish Sport for Palestine, which called for a boycott of the fixtures in protest against the ongoing Israel-Gaza war.

Before last week's 'home' game for Israel in Hungary, Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu withdrew from the fixtures, saying "it would be wrong to participate", while a vote by players to play the games passed by a "significant majority", according to FAI chief executive David Courell.

The players wore black armbands during the game "in recognition of all lives lost in the [Gaza] conflict".

The Republic of Ireland then played Austria in Dublin on Thursday, when protests resulted in tennis balls being thrown on to the pitch and a protester briefly interrupting the game when he ran on to the turf, waving a Palestine flag.

Hallgrimsson said under the circumstances, it will be a "a big win for this group and the association if we go through undamaged".

They have four points from three games so far, having beaten Israel and drawn 2-2 with Austria. They lost 1-0 to Kosovo in the campaign opener.

"The most pleasing thing for me is to see the togetherness and how they stand up for each other," Hallgrimsson said.

"Whatever they have done, they have done it with respect to the situation, to each other and after this, this bond of brothers will be stronger than ever. All the obstacles this group will face in the future will be lesser than it is.

"When we look back, this camp will be a moment we grew the most and stepped up as leaders, supported each other and stuck together. The power of togetherness is stronger than individuals."

Image source, Getty Images

In tonight's other game, group leaders Austria were held to a 1-1 draw by Kosovo in Pristina.

A win this evening would move Republic of Ireland onto seven points, one behind Ralf Ragnick's side.

Image source, Inpho

Republic of Ireland

Republic of Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson makes four changes from Thursday's 2-2 draw with Austria.

The Irish are without captain Dara O'Shea, who did not travel, while defender James Abankwah is suspended.

Jake O'Brien and Jimmy Dunne come in for them while Jason Knight and Jayson Molumby replace Finn Azaz and John Egan.

Caoimhin Kelleher captains the side.

Israel also make four changes from their 0-0 draw against Kosovo, with Manor Solomon dropping to the bench.

Raz Shlomo, Anan Khalaili and Tai Baribo also drop to the bench with Ilay Feingold, Roy Revivo, Oscar Gloukh and Dor Turgeman all come in.

Republic of Ireland: Kelleher (c), Manning, Scales, Dunne, O'Brien, Moylan, Molumby, Coventry, Knight, Idah, Parrott.

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

Israel: Tzur, Revivo, Stoinov, Nachmias, Feingold, Azoulay, Do. Peretz, Peretz, Gloukh, Abada, Turgeman.

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

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

"There aren't many players that can do what he did."

Republic of Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson succinctly summarised the brilliance of in-form striker Troy Parrott for his first goal in their Uefa Nations League 2-2 draw with Austria in Dublin.

Having been fed the ball by Adam Idah around 20 yards from goal, Parrott stalled for a second and even gestured for support around him before deciding to go alone.

First, he nutmegged Philipp Lienhart, then he sidestepped his defensive partner David Affengruber before showing why Real Betis paid big money for him in the summer by slotting through goalkeeper Florian Wiegele's legs.

His team-mate Jack Moylan's reaction mirrored that of many supporters in the stands after the ball hit the net, with the Cardiff City man standing with his hands on his head in disbelief but with a huge smile that showed his glee after witnessing such a special goal.

It was one of the finest goals scored at the Aviva Stadium and one that Hallgrimsson said will be replayed "again and again for many years to come".

While his last-gasp winner that completed his hat-trick against Hungary and secured a World Cup play-off in November last year may be his most memorable goal, there is no doubting that this was the best of an ever-growing catalogue in a green shirt.

Parrott then doubled his and his side's advantage when he kept his cool to tuck home a penalty on the stroke of half-time to take his tally to 14 in 40 caps, with nine of those coming in his last six competitive games.

That looked to have set the Irish on their way to back-to-back wins after he also found the net in the victory against Israel on Sunday, but Austria fought back, scoring shortly before he was substituted on 75 minutes and then finding a second soon after to earn a point.

"It was just a shame it was not a goal that gave us a win but I think you will be watching it anyway for years to come," Hallgrimsson added.

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Troy Parrott's double was not enough to earn the Republic of Ireland a second straight win as Austria fought back to draw a Uefa Nations League game twice briefly interrupted by protests in the first half in Dublin on Thursday.

Parrott opened the scoring with a superb solo effort before tennis balls were thrown on to the pitch in the 19th minute by those protesting the Republic of Ireland's games against Israel.

With protests having taken place outside the Aviva Stadium before the game, referee Allard Lindhout briefly paused the action while stewards cleared the tennis balls - which featured the Palestine flag and 'Stop the Game' text - off the pitch.

Then, in the 35th minute, a man carrying a Palestine flag entered the field of play but was quickly tackled by security.

Following the two short breaks in play, Parrott doubled the home side's lead from the penalty spot following a foul on Ryan Manning.

While Parrott's double set the Republic of Ireland on course for back-to-back wins after Sunday's 3-0 win over Israel in Hungary, Austria's substitutes inspired a second-half comeback.

Alexander Prass came off the bench to pull a goal back following a mistake from Republic of Ireland defender Liam Kitching before fellow substitute Michael Gregoritsch curled a free-kick past Caoimhin Kelleher to earn Austria a point that keeps Ralf Rangnick's team top of Group B3.

Tonight's game is Republic of Ireland's 'home' fixture, which was moved to TSC Arena in Backa Topola amid ongoing protests from fans over the FAI's decision to fulfil the fixtures.

Manager Heimir Hallgrimsson said knows "absolutely nothing" about the town, which is around 100 miles north of Belgrade, Serbia's capital.

"Everything about this [is strange]," he said.

"First of all, the four-game window has been strange and challenging and testing. It will be different playing in front of 45,000 or 50,000 supporters and then playing in an empty stadium.

"But that's just another angle of the story and we need to be ready for that one."

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu made himself unavailable for both Israel games, saying he felt it "would be wrong to participate".

With Bazunu having returned to training before the Austria match, Heimir Hallgrimsson praised the Bolton player and the rest of his squad while hitting out at "lies" that had been reported regarding 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," said Hallgrimsson, who confirmed Luton keeper Josh Keeley has taken Bazunu's place in the squad for the second Israel game.

"There's been a lot of lies said around all of this, but we welcome him back and he's taken part, amazing.

"I think it shows his character, as well, to be with us, so I want to give him praise for that. I want to give the players praise for how welcome they have been with him.

"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."

Republic of Ireland could have faced "undetermined" sanctions had they not played their Nations League match against Israel on Sunday, according to FAI president Paul Cooke.

The players did not shake hands with each other and the Republic of Ireland squad bowed their heads when Israel's anthem was played before their 3-0 win in Hungary.

The two Nations League fixtures, being played at neutral venues, have been embroiled in controversy since February when the two teams were drawn to play each other in Group B3.

The Republic of Ireland players have faced calls to withdraw from the games because of the ongoing Israel-Gaza war with a "Stop The Game" campaign - organised by the pressure group Irish Sport for Palestine - gathering pace.

There was also no exchange of pennants between Republic of Ireland captain Dara O'Shea and Israel skipper Manor Solomon, who did not shake hands.

Cooke added that along with standard punishments for not fulfilling a fixture, there was were also possible "undetermined" extras.

"No," he told RTE Sport when asked is Uefa threatened additional sanctions if one or both of the matches were not fulfilled.

"The rules are clear. It specifies if we don't fulfil the fixtures what the sanctions are and then there's reference to other sanctions undetermined.

"I think it depends on Uefa and what sanctions they levy on somebody as a result of it. We saw a recent thing in England and Southampton, the levies that were levied on them [expelled from the English Championship play-offs after admitting spying on opponents]."

Image source, Getty Images

Three first-half goals saw the Republic of Ireland claim the first win of their Nations League Group B3 campaign against Israel in Hungary last Sunday.

Three days on from a disappointing defeat in Kosovo, the Irish enjoyed a much better showing in Debrecen as first-half goals from Troy Parrott, Adam Idah and Jack Moylan had them clear.

Israel pushed for a way back early in the second period but could not get past Caoimhin Kelleher, with the Irish in control for the most part to ease home.

Despite the fraught build-up, Heimir Hallgrimsson's side began with confidence and were rewarded on 14 minutes as Parrott netted his 12th international goal when turning home James Abankwah's cutback.

The lead was doubled two minutes later and this time it was Idah who was put through by Moylan before slotting past Daniel Peretz into the corner of the net.

Kelleher was called into action to thwart Anan Khalaili, but the Irish went three goals clear in the 25th minute when Moylan drove into the box and fired home his first competitive international goal.

Israel pushed for a way back early in the second period but Kelleher denied Dor Peretz and then Eliel Peretz.

Idah went close to grabbing his second but Daniel Peretz turned his effort around the post.

Image source, Getty Images

The Republic of Ireland's news conference before their second match against Israel ended abruptly as head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson fielded questions from Israeli journalists on Saturday.

One reporter tried to ask Hallgrimsson for his thoughts about the incident on Wednesday when a co-pilot attacked a pilot on a flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv before passengers overpowered the attacker and successfully took control of the plane.

The Republic of Ireland manager was also asked by another journalist, who refused to give up the microphone, about alleged racism by Irish players during last Sunday's 3-0 win over Israel in Hungary.

The news conference was brought to a close at that point by Football Association of Ireland (FAI) communications manager Kieran Crowley, who said those allegations were "completely untrue" as the mood soured.

Allegations of racism by Irish players follow on from the FAI announcing it is investigating reports of racist abuse directed towards Republic of Ireland striker Adam Idah by Israel fans during the first match in Debrecen, which Hallgrimsson's team won 3-0.

At Israel's news conference later in the day, the team's media officer stepped in to confirm the Israel FA has not lodged a complaint with Uefa but "will think about that after the match tomorrow".

"Our players told us there was trash talk between the Irish players and them that was not like normal or like any other match," the media officer said.

Head coach Ran Ben-Shimon did not want to address such matters, insisting "a good result tomorrow is my only focus".

Before the Irish news conference was cut short, Hallgrimsson said similar as he stressed he would not "get involved in that as others will process that".

"It is a game with a lot of emotions attached," Hallgrimsson said.

"I haven't read anything and it's not something I want to get involved with. It goes to a process, both in our department and with Uefa.

"Something was reported by both teams, so I just hope we can focus on football and football will be the winner after this.

"I have not gone into details looking at this as I have enough to think about."

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson admitted today's second game against Israel is "not going to be a friendly" following comments from the latter's camp after last week's match in Hungary.

Having faced calls to boycott the Nations League fixtures because of the ongoing Israel-Gaza war, the Republic of Ireland did not engage in pre-match formalities and bowed their heads during the Israeli national anthem in Debrecen.

After a 3-0 win for the Republic of Ireland, Israel captain Manor Solomon said "we have a country 10 times better than theirs".

"Obviously they hate us. We don't like them," he added.

Following Thursday's 2-2 draw with Austria in Dublin, Hallgrimsson was asked if those comments will make for a tense encounter with Israel in Sunday's behind-closed-doors game in the Serbian town of Backla Topola.

"I guess so it's not going to be a friendly," said Hallgrimsson.

Hallgrimsson has spoken about the toll the controversy surrounding the Israel fixtures has had on his squad and said fatigue because of "everything going on" was a factor on Thursday as Austria fought back following Troy Parrott's first-half double.

"It is going to be tricky and challenging for the players to be ready [for Israel], but we will do everything and the medical team will work day and night to get them fit and fresh for that game," he added.

"[It's] just another football match, but [there] is more at stake for all of us."

Good evening and welcome to our coverage of the Republic of Ireland's 'home' Nations League fixture against Israel in Backa Topola, Serbia.

Seven days on from Heimir Hallgrimsson's side winning the first meeting between the teams 3-0 in Hungary, they are back to do it again.

Since then, they have both drawn in midweek, with Republic of Ireland squandering a two-goal lead against Austria, while Israel played out a goalless draw against Kosovo.

There are no fans present this time around with the game behind closed doors - but we will bring you all the action as these teams seek to close out this four-game international window on a high.

Image source, Getty Images