The FAI has announced that the Republic of Ireland will play friendly matches against Senegal and Luxembourg in June. These matches will help prepare for the World Cup qualifier against Hungary on September 6th. Coach Heimir Hallgrímsson emphasized the importance of facing high-quality opponents for player development and team readiness.
The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has announced two friendly matches for the Republic of Ireland in June, featuring a matchup against Senegal at the Aviva Stadium and a visit to Luxembourg. These fixtures serve as vital preparation for the World Cup qualifier against Hungary on September 6th, set to take place in Dublin.
Senegal, the reigning champions of the 2021 African Nations Cup, are expected to include prominent players, including former Liverpool winger Sadio Mané, who currently plays for Al Nassr. Following their performance in the 2022 World Cup, where they reached the last 16 before losing to England, Senegal ranks 17th in the FIFA world rankings, while Ireland currently holds the 60th position.
Heimir Hallgrímsson, the head coach of Ireland, expressed his satisfaction with securing high-quality competition against Senegal. He emphasized the importance of facing top-tier international teams for the players’ development and for adequate preparation ahead of World Cup qualifying. Additionally, Hallgrímsson noted that this match would excite both players and supporters since it marks the first international encounter between the two nations.
The match in Luxembourg will present a different challenge for the Irish squad, being their final game before entering the World Cup campaign. Hallgrímsson emphasized the significance of both fixtures as essential components in their preparation leading up to the crucial qualifying matches.
In summary, the Republic of Ireland will engage in two significant friendly matches in June, specifically against Senegal and Luxembourg. These games aim to enhance team readiness prior to the World Cup qualifier against Hungary. Head Coach Heimir Hallgrímsson has highlighted the importance of these fixtures, anticipating strong competition from Senegal and the challenges posed by Luxembourg as the team prepares for upcoming qualifying rounds.
Original Source: www.irishtimes.com
