IRELAND WILL PLAY international friendlies against Greece and Poland in the coming months, it was confirmed today.
Following the announcement earlier this week that Giovanni Trapattoni’s side will face England for the first time in 18 years next May – with a return game in Dublin provisionally scheduled for November 2014 – the FAI revealed news that they are set to host two more European sides.
Greece, who are currently ranked 11th in the world, will arrive to play on November 14 while Poland will be the next team to visit the Aviva Stadium, on February 6 2013.
Euro 2012 hosts Poland last played in the Irish capital back in November 2008, when they won 3-2 in a friendly game. They are likely to have strong support for the fixture due to the large Polish community in Ireland.
Both matches fall between Ireland’s World Cup 2014 qualifiers against the Faroe Islands and Sweden.
On the games, manager Giovanni Trapattoni said: ”These matches provide me with a very important opportunity to work with the squad and test ourselves against strong European opposition in preparation for the pivotal World Cup Qualification double header against Sweden and Austria in March 2013.”
