Ireland players to discuss Israel fixtures as Ogbene asks public to ease pressure

Republic of Ireland winger Chiedozie Ogbene has urged the public not to place responsibility for decisions over the team's Nations League matches against Israel on the players. BBC Sport reported his comments to RTE Sport after Thursday's 1-0 defeat by Kosovo, with the Irish squad due to discuss its approach to the fixtures on Friday.

Watch the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-lY34TB53k

Stand-in captain Dara O'Shea had confirmed the planned players' meeting before the match in Pristina. Ireland and Israel are scheduled to meet in Debrecen, Hungary, on Sunday, followed by a return fixture in Backa Topola, Serbia, on 4 October. No Irish supporters will attend Sunday's game, designated as Israel's home fixture, while the second match is to be played behind closed doors.

Calls for Ireland to withdraw have grown since the teams were drawn together in Nations League Group B3, according to the BBC. The Stop The Game campaign has gathered support amid the situation in Gaza. Ogbene acknowledged the strength of feeling and described the issue as difficult, but said there were people responsible for making decisions and that footballers should not be relied upon to resolve it.

Ogbene also said the squad would consider the matter together. His remarks did not announce a boycott or a final collective position ahead of Friday's discussion. He rejected the suggestion that debate about the Israel fixtures explained Ireland's performance against Kosovo, saying the players had concentrated on winning that match before addressing what came next.

On the pitch, Heimir Hallgrimsson's side created only two chances, the BBC reported. Goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher made several saves and Kosovo also had attempts cleared off the line before Vedat Muriqi scored with seven minutes remaining. Ogbene missed a significant first-half opportunity, leaving Ireland to reflect on both a narrow defeat and a performance he considered below the team's standards.

The winger accepted personal responsibility for mishitting his chance and said he needed to improve. He had thought Ireland might have enough quality to hold out for a goalless draw, but expressed disappointment with the overall display as well as the result. Friday's squad discussion now follows that losing start to the Nations League campaign.