Israel captain Manor Solomon says his country is ‘10 times better’ than Ireland

Israel captain Manor Solomon said his country was ‘10 times better’ than Ireland after the Republic of Ireland beat his side 3-0 in a Nations League match marked by protests over Gaza. His comments followed a game in Hungary during which Irish players wore black armbands, bowed their heads for Israel’s anthem and did not shake hands with their opponents. The teams are scheduled to meet again on October 4.

What Solomon said

Speaking to Israel’s Sport 5 channel after Sunday’s match, Solomon said of the Irish side: ‘Obviously they hate us and we don’t like them.’ Asked about Ireland’s conduct during Israel’s anthem, he said the Irish players did not interest him and described Israel as ‘10 times better’ and stronger than Ireland. Those were Solomon’s judgments about the teams and countries, rather than established descriptions of how Irish players feel.

Solomon said he was proud to wear Israel’s national-team uniform and praised his country, its people and its soldiers. He also said he was looking forward to facing Ireland again. According to The Guardian’s account of the interview, he said he would risk a suspension if he expressed everything he thought about the Irish players. His remarks came the day after Israel’s defeat, as attention remained on the gestures before the match as well as the result.

The gestures before kick-off

The match took place on September 27 at the Nagyerdei Stadion in Debrecen, Hungary, with Israel designated the home team. Ireland’s players wore black armbands and looked down during Israel’s national anthem, while members of the Irish staff faced away from the pitch during Ireland’s anthem, The Guardian reported from the stadium. The teams did not exchange pennants or shake hands before play, moving from the centre circle into their own huddles.

Whether Ireland would take the field had been in doubt the previous day. Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu made himself unavailable, and his decision prompted emotional exchanges among players and management, according to The Guardian’s match report. Ireland ultimately played. Coach Heimir Hallgrimsson later called it ‘probably the toughest day of my coaching career’ and said the players had shown how much representing Ireland meant to them.

Ireland’s first-half win

Ireland settled the contest with three goals in 11 first-half minutes. Troy Parrott scored in the 14th minute after James Abankwah created an opening on the right. Adam Idah added a second two minutes later from a Jack Moylan pass, and Moylan scored in the 25th minute. Ireland held that 3-0 lead to the final whistle. Moylan removed and kissed his black armband after his goal, The Guardian reported.

The Guardian described the Debrecen stadium as nearly empty, with about 150 Israel supporters and roughly a dozen Irish fans present. Israel improved briefly after half-time, when substitute Dor Peretz forced a save from Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher, but could not reduce the deficit. Israel coach Ran Ben-Shimon said his side had failed mentally and tactically and would have to find the energy to respond in its next game.

A return match in Serbia

The Football Association of Ireland has scheduled the return fixture for October 4 at the TSC Arena in Bačka Topola, Serbia, behind closed doors. In its June announcement, the FAI said operational challenges could affect staging the game on Irish soil and that UEFA had approved the move to neutral territory. Its announcement did not give a kick-off time. The Guardian also reported that the September 27 match was played in Hungary rather than Israel.

The next meeting gives the teams another competitive fixture shortly after a match that tested Ireland’s squad and produced a pointed response from Israel’s captain. Solomon has said he is looking forward to it. The confirmed arrangements in the FAI’s announcement are the October 4 date, the Serbian venue and the absence of spectators; that statement gives no later account of how either team will approach the pre-match ceremonies.