'They hate us, we don't like them'

Israel captain Manor Solomon declared that his country was "ten times better" than Ireland following their Nations League tie in Debrecen, promising a "completely different game" when the sides meet again.

The Boys in Green's early dominance decided the game in Nagyerdei Stadion with Troy Parrott, Adam Idah and Jack Moylan scoring goals in that period.

The sides are due to meet again in Serbia on Sunday next, with Austria due in Dublin in between, but there are still some question marks remaining over that game in Backa Topola.

The Irish players took a vote on Saturday morning to agree to play last night's game, with the majority voting in favour of doing so.

At the same time, there was a significant minority opposed to playing, a figure that has not been confirmed by the FAI or manager Heimir Hallgrimsson, but has been reported to be either six or eight players.

It remains to be seen whether further discussions amongst the players could see those numbers change.

Soloman plays his club football for West Ham in the English Championship, having previously represented Tottenham and Leeds United.

Reflecting on their heavy defeat, the Israel skipper suggested that he was already looking forward to the trip to Serbia to face Ireland.

"I'm waiting for the next game against them, it’ll be a completely different game entirely," he said.

"They (the Irish players) don’t interest me. We have a country ten times better than theirs, stronger, an amazing country with amazing people.

"We are proud to wear the team shirt and to be Israelis. We are proud of our state and of our soldiers.

"They can play all their tricks. We are Israelis and love the country. And that will always be the case.

"If I say what I think of them, I’d likely be suspended for a few matches.

"Obviously they hate us. We don’t like them."

Israel manager Ran Ben Shimon acknowledged that his team hadn't coped with the occasion well, but argued that criticism should be directed at himself rather than the players.

"Huge disappointment, the blame is on me," he said. "I thought we had prepared properly. We hadn’t.

"We didn't handle the pressure well, this is very obvious.

"We didn't understand what is on our shoulders; we failed mentally, tactically.

"In a few days there is another game against Ireland (and) there is a game with Kosovo.

"We have to find the energy to wake up, to rise again, to try to deal with the pressure in a different way."

Click here to read article