Soccer

Ireland to play Switzerland friendly next March

12th ranked team in the world will be Martin O’Neill’s side’s first opposition of 2016

Clinton Morrison tussles with Phillipe Senderos during Ireland’s last meeting with Switzerland in 2005. Photograph: Inpho
Clinton Morrison tussles with Phillipe Senderos during Ireland’s last meeting with Switzerland in 2005. Photograph: Inpho
Fri Oct 23 2015 - 14:39

Ireland will play Switzerland in an international friendly at the Aviva Stadium on Friday March 25th.

The Swiss are currently ranked 12th in the world and will present Ireland’s first opposition of 2016.

The game may mark the start of Martin O’Neill’s Euro 2016 preparations - providing his side get past Bosnia and Herzegovina in a two-leg play-off next month.

Vladimir Petkovic’s side have already qualified for next month’s championships in France after they finished a distant second to England in qualification Group E, winning seven of their 10 games.

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The fixture will be the the first time the two sides have met each other since they were drawn together in qualifictiton for the 2006 World Cup.

Ireland drew 1-1 in the away fixture in Basel thanks to a Clinton Morrison before the tw o sides played out a 0-0 draw at Lansdowne Road in the return game.