Israel's national football team takes the pitch tonight (Sunday) at 21:45 for a critical match against Ireland in the fourth round of League B, Group 3 of the Nations League. After a disappointing start to the campaign, Ran Ben Shimon's squad knows that dropping more points could push them significantly further from the teams above them in the standings.
Though Ireland is listed as the host, the match will not take place in Dublin. The Irish Football Association moved it to TSC Arena in Bačka Topola, Serbia, and it will be played behind closed doors without any spectators. Irish officials explained the decision was made due to operational difficulties that could have affected holding the match in the country.
Israel arrives at the match in last place in the group with just one point and a goal difference of minus-5. The team opened with a 3-1 loss to Austria, was defeated 3-0 by Ireland, and then drew 0-0 with Kosovo. Austria leads with seven points, while Ireland and Kosovo have each collected four points.
The implications are clear: a win would lift Israel to four points and return them to contention in the group, while a loss would leave them at the bottom and open a six-point gap from Ireland. The result of the earlier match between Kosovo and Austria could also affect Israel's position heading into the final two rounds in November.
In the previous meeting between the teams, Israel conceded three goals already in the first half and struggled to respond. Since then the team managed to stop the losing streak against Kosovo, but again failed to find the net. Israel has scored just one goal in its first three matches while conceding six.
