Ireland and Israel play out a one all draw in Serbia

Republic Of Ireland 1

Israel 1

Ireland closed out the October international window with a disappointing draw with Israel in Serbia on Sunday night

The Boys in Green were designated as the home side, and their night involved a penalty from Troy Parrott and their opponents equalising through Dor Peretz at the start of the second half.

The result leaves Ireland third in the group, and needing a strong return from November’s fixtures against Austria and Kosovo if they are to avoid a relegation play-off in the spring.

This was the team’s third game in eight days and Hallgrímsson made four changes to the group that drew with Austria.

The most surgery done to the defence as James Abankwah was suspended and Dara O’Shea was away for personal reasons.

Youghal native Jake O’Brien and QPR defender Jimmy Dunne came in for John Egan and O’Shea, with Jason Knight starting at right wing back as opposed to his usual position in midfield. Jayson Molumby took up that role in a midfield designed to get the ball to Idah and Parrott.

The rotation worked out, as the re-energised regroup came out and pinned Israel into their own half.

With this came chances, beginning with an Idah effort that forced Assaf Tzur into an uncomfortable diving save in the 6th minute. Parrott then launched in a low cross and there was no one there in a green jersey able to take a touch.

Israel went on to enjoy a small spell in possession that only produced one real chance, a moment for Liel Abada that was routinely stopped by Caoimhin Kelleher in the 17th minute.

Ireland went on to win a free-kick in the 35th minute off a foul on Jayson Molumby. This was quickly sent to Parrott for a first time shot that was scrambled away by Tzur. Dunne was fouled as he went for the loose ball, leading to a VAR check that awarded a penalty.

Parrott stepped up and hit the side netting to open the scoring with a spot kick that the Israel goalkeeper had no chance of getting to.

It was 1-0 at the break and the game restarted with the away side scoring against the run of play.

It was a pass that deflected off Scales that set up Peretz for a straight forward finish from close range, with just two minutes played in the second half.

Ireland looked stunned and took some time to get their rhythm back, while clear chances proved to be few and far between.

Hallgrímsson eventually went to the bench in a bid to get something going which led to the introduction Chiedozie Ogbene and Rocco Vata for Moylan and Idah in the 69th minute.

These changes almost immediately paid off as Ogbene found a small bit of space for a blistering strike that forced Tzur into an excellent reflex save that put the ball out for a corner that came to nothing.

There was no real chance late in the game to seal the win, instead there was a lot of play but no real penetration.

Republic of Ireland: Caoimhin Kelleher; Jason Knight, Jake O’Brien, Jimmy Dunne, Liam Scales, Ryan Manning; Conor Coventry, Jayson Molumby; Jack Moylan, Adam Idah, Troy Parrott.

Subs: Rocco Vata for Idah (69); Chiedozie Ogbene for Moylan (69), Mohammed Lawal for Coventry (84), Joel Bagan for Manning (84).

Israel: Assaf Tzur; Ilay Feingold, Idan Nachmias, Nikita Stoinov, Roy Revivo; Eliel Peretz, Dor Peretz, Ethane Azoulay; Liel Abada, Oscar Gloukh; Dor Turgeman.

Subs: Yarin Levi for Azoulay (58); Omri Gandelman for Turgeman (58), Manor Solomon for Abada (71), Eli Dasa for Feingold (78), Yarden Shua for Peretz (78).

Referee: Juan Martínez Munuera (Spain)