While Bazunu withdrew form the Israel games, midfielder Finn Azaz did not play in either game, but for different reasons.
The 26-year-old has family links to Israel on his mother’s side, which the Irish manager felt put him in a tough spot due to the squad’s decision to wear black armbands and bow their heads during the Israel anthem in both games.
Azaz produced a fine display in Thursday’s 2-2 draw at home to Austria, but when weighing it all up, Hallgrimsson concluded: “I didn’t feel he was ready for the game”.
“Finn played 90 minutes against Austria and got a little knock, but also, this has been tough on him mentally and I just didn’t feel he was ready for playing,” he explained.
“It is probably the most difficult situation for him of all of us. He deserves a lot of credit for being in the squad and showed desire to be a part of this team.”
He continued: “It was tough for him that we were wearing black armbands and tough for him that we looked down when the [Israeli] national anthem was sung.
“It tested him more than all of us, so I felt it was better to leave him out today than play him.”
Despite those difficulties for Azaz, when the subject of Southampton midfielder continuing his international career was raised, the Irish boss could only “hope so”.
“Nothing points to him quitting and just being here proves it to me that he wants to be with us and wants to be with us in the Euro finals in 2028.
“He’s shown his quality and worth on the pitch to us.”
