|
Ireland will play three matches in the Spring of 2007, away to San Marino on February 7 and at home to Wales and Slovakia on 24th and 28th March respectively. The Welsh match will see the Republic Of Ireland soccer team grace Croke Park for the first time.
In the final games in the Group Ireland will face Slovakia and Czech Republic (both away) on September 8 and 12 respectively, Germany and Cyprus (both home) on October 13 & 17 respectively, before travelling to Wales on November 17 2007.
Speaking after the Fixtures Meeting, Republic of Ireland Manager, Stephen Staunton, expressed himself satisfied with the fixtures. "We achieved our key objectives in relation to these fixtures including no fixtures in June thus avoiding possible heat and end of season fixtures", he said.
"I am also delighted that we achieved our target of playing Germany in Dublin towards the end of the qualifying campaign," he added.
FAI Chief Executive Officer, John Delaney, also expressed satisfaction with the fixtures list. "Stephen and his backroom team gave us a very strong base on which to negotiate and I am delighted with the outcome of those negotiations. The agreed fixtures list will also allow us to play four matches in Croke Park in 2007."
FAI International Football Consultant, Sir Bobby Robson, said: "Last night I said that if we got four tenths of what we were looking for we should take it. I am delighted that we negotiated much more than that.
"Now that we know the fixtures its time to focus on the games and our preparations will begin in earnest with the friendly against Sweden next month."
EURO 2008 GROUP D QUALIFIERS
2006
SEP 2: Germany v Republic of Ireland
OCT 7: Cyprus v Republic of Ireland
OCT 11: Republic of Ireland v Czech Republic
NOV 15: Republic of Ireland v San Marino
2007
FEB 7: San Marino v Republic of Ireland
MAR 24: Republic of Ireland v Wales
MAR 28: Republic of Ireland v Slovakia
SEP 8: Slovakia v Republic of Ireland
SEP 12: Czech Republic v Republic of Ireland
OCT 13: Republic of Ireland v Germany
OCT 17: Republic of Ireland v Cyprus
NOV 17: Wales v Republic of Ireland