Republic of Ireland Set to Face Mexico in June
This summer will see the Republic of Ireland travelling to the United States of America for an international friendly game against the Mexican team. The game is set to take place at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on the 2nd of June 2017.
This game will be the onset of what looks likely to be an exhilarating season for Martin O’Neill’s team, as they will also be hosting Uruguay in a 3 International Friendly on the 4th of June, before taking part in a Qualifier Match for the 2018 FIFA World Cup against Austria on the 11th of June. Both of these games are set to be held at Aviva Stadium.
Excellent Preparation for the World Cup Qualifier
O’Neill has stated that the match against the Mexican team will be an excellent opportunity for the team to do some groundwork for their qualifier against the Austrians. Although both the Mexican and Austrian teams are tough opponents, O’Neill has said that this is what his players are looking for. He went on to state that the players who may have been off the field for a while after the endings of their club seasons will relish the chance to face such quality athletes.
Sports betting NZ sites and others across the globe are gearing up for this showdown, and punters are already making their picks as to who will be able to take the win in this much anticipated game.
The Fourth Time the Teams are Facing Off
The Republic of Ireland has played against Mexico a total of 4 times, which saw them draw 3 games and lose 1, and 2 of the games they have played have taken place in the United States of America, including the Group E 1994 FIFA World Cup game that took place in Orlando, Florida.
Where the Two Teams are Coming From
Mexico currently stands at number 17 in FIFA’s World Rankings, and are under the management of Juan Carlos Osorio. They are also in the middle of preparing for their own Qualifier match for the World Cup, along with the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup. The latter kicks off in Russia on the 17th of June 2017, and the team has been placed in Group A, along with the hosts, New Zealand and Portugal.
The Republic of Ireland was last at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium in June of 2014, where they faced Portugal, but the team has great history in that state thanks to Ray Houghton’s celebrated goal against the Italian team at the FIFA World Cup of 1994. Before a friendly game in Boston that took place in 1991, the Irish team had never played in that country.
The MetLife Stadium in New Jersey
The MetLife Stadium was previously known as the Giants Stadium, and saw the Irish playing 2 of their final games for the 1994 World Cup there. They then returned in 1996, for the US Cup, and drew with Mexico with a final score of 2 all. It will be host to the much anticipated upcoming Republic of Ireland – Mexico clash, and both teams will be playing on somewhat familiar ground