MX23RW : Thursday, March 13 15:36:57| >> :600:7703309:7703309:

Northern Ireland confirm home friendly in June against New Zealand

Northern Ireland announce the arrangement of a friendly fixture against New Zealand at Windsor Park on June 2, nine days before a World Cup qualifier in Azerbaijan.

Northern Ireland have confirmed that they will take on New Zealand in a friendly at Windsor Park on June 2.

The fixture in Belfast will take place eight days before their 2018 World Cup qualifier away against Azerbaijan.

"The players will need a game at that time as some of their seasons will have finished as early as the end of April," manager Michael O'Neill told BBC Sport.

"We'll use it sensibly and get as many of the squad on the pitch as possible.

"I wanted a home game following our first two camps and it will come at a good time for us. It's not too close to the Azerbaijan game and it will help to keep the players sharp."

Northern Ireland beat Azerbaijan 4-0 in their last qualifier in November and sit second in Group C.

ID:291721: cacheID:291721:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:1672:
Written by
Giuseppe Labellarte
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Michael O'Neill during the Euro 2016 Group C match between Ukraine and Northern Ireland on July 16, 2016
Read Next:
O'Neill not interested in Scotland switch
>
Read more about Michael O'Neill Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool29217169274270
2Arsenal281510352242855
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest28156745331251
4Chelsea28147753361749
5Manchester CityMan City28145953381547
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2814594738947
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton28121064640646
8Aston Villa2912984145-445
9Bournemouth28128847341344
10Fulham2811984138342
11Crystal Palace2810993633339
12Brentford28115124844438
13Tottenham HotspurSpurs281041455411434
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd2897123440-634
15Everton2871293135-433
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham2896133248-1633
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2865173857-1923
18Ipswich TownIpswich2838172658-3217
19Leicester CityLeicester2845192562-3717
20Southampton2823232068-489


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!