The fixtures, each performed at impartial venues, have been embroiled in controversy since February when the 2 groups have been drawn to play one another in Group B3.
The Republic of Eire gamers confronted persistent calls to withdraw from the video games due to the continuing Israel-Gaza battle with the “Cease The Sport” marketing campaign – organised by the stress group Irish Sport for Palestine – staging protests earlier than and through Thursday’s sport in opposition to Austria in Dublin.
Tensions between the groups boiled over in Serbia with the Republic of Eire and Israel gamers additionally clashing at full-time.
Talking after the sport, Hallgrimsson mentioned he felt Israel “have been attempting to intimidate us from kick-off”.
“I give a number of credit score to the gamers to remain calm. It might have been a sport of yellow and pink playing cards however we have been composed, the gamers have been composed, they did effectively in controlling feelings,” he mentioned.
Requested in regards to the half-time incident, Israel head coach Ran Ben-Shimon mentioned he didn’t see “something”.
“[At] half-time I used to be within the dressing room, my room, with my employees,” he mentioned.
“I did not see something. Once I get the possibility to examine I’ll get again to you. I did not see something, I used to be in my room.”
Regardless of dealing with stress to boycott and goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu making himself unavailable for each video games, the FAI in the end determined to fulfil each fixtures.
The groups didn’t have interaction in pre-match formalities in both match, whereas the Irish gamers bowed their heads throughout Israel’s nationwide anthem.