Fired-up Israel players vow revenge on 'embarrassing Ireland'

Israel players took aim at Ireland's behaviour around Sunday's meeting of the nations

Referee Harm Osmers speaks with Ireland's Dara O'Shea and Israel's Manor Solomon

Humbled but fired-up, Israel players are vowing revenge on Ireland in a very different performance when the sides meet again next Sunday in Serbia.

Israel captain Manor Solomon — who plays for West Ham — suggested his side had been distracted by the fraught atmosphere around last Sunday's first meeting of the countries.

“Apparently we didn't manage to get it out of our heads," Solomon said, taking aim at the behaviour of Irish players, who didn't acknowledge their opponents and kept heads bowed during the Israeli anthem.

“Obviously they hate us. We don’t like them. They said stupid things [during the game]. I don't want to address them.

“If I say what I think of the Irish players, I’d likely be suspended for a few matches.

“I’m waiting for the next game against them. It’ll be a completely different game.”

Midfielder Eliel Peretz echoed that view, in an interview with Sport5.

“We weren't there and they punished us. I promise you that in the next game against them it absolutely won't be like this, and the result will be different.” 

On the Irish players' display during the Israeli anthem, he said: “I didn't look at them. I sang the anthem. I was proud of our anthem. Embarrassing people.”

Sport5 reported that Ireland defender Jake O'Brien shouted at Solomon in the dressing room area after the game, with the Israel player reported as responding, “Come outside, be a man. Don't talk from behind a wall.”

Experienced defender Eli Dasa rued the poverty of Israel's performance 

“We failed, and we failed badly. There's no need to hide behind anything.

“The most painful game I've had for the national team, unequivocally.

“The professional staff gave us fantastic preparation... we didn't come and we didn't show up. The responsibility is 100% on the players.” 

Asked about Ireland's conduct, Dasa said: “We've been through so much in these three years. This is just another tiny thing in all the madness that's happening.

“Their lowering their heads made me raise my head higher.”

Israel goalkeeper Daniel Peretz said the lack of pre-match handshakes "stems from ignorance". 

He added that, in his view, some Irish players had expressed opinions without understanding Israel's situation, while he described Israel's performance as “embarrassing” and said the team had been affected by the emotions surrounding the game.

Israel manager Ben Shimon described the first half showed as “shameful” and accepted responsibility: “The blame is on me.”