Hallgrimsson: 'We are here to play football'

Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson declared his team's sole focus to be on playing football, following their arrival at the Nagyerdei Stadion in Debrecen for the UEFA Nations League clash against Israel. The team had faced a tumultuous 48 hours, with the fixture initially in jeopardy. The match is set to commence at 7.45pm, despite months of deliberation over its scheduling. Ireland will face Israel once more next week, as well as Austria in Dublin on Thursday.

Hallgrimsson expressed the immense challenges he and his players encountered during this trying week, stating, "It has been one of the most challenging weeks for me as a coach. And I guess it’s the same for the players. It’s a situation we haven’t been in before." The team's young members, in particular, require special attention, as they grapple with conflicting emotions for the game.

Hallgrimsson emphasized the responsibility to safeguard all players and ensure they perform well, acknowledging the difficulty in preparing for the match.

The Irish football federation has decided to wear black armbands in honor of those who have lost their lives in the conflict, though the pre-match ceremony will not proceed. Around 225 spectators, including 150 Israeli supporters, are expected to attend the match at the Nagyerdei Stadion.