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http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4084537.stm

Northern Ireland to play Canada

Northern Ireland will play Canada in a friendly at Windsor Park on 9 February.

The Irish Football Association has been seeking opponents for the date and last week, new Scotland boss Walter Smith turned down the offer of a game.

Northern Ireland boss Lawrie Sanchez will use the game as preparation for the 26 March World Cup qualifier against England at Old Trafford.

The Irish drew 1-1 with Canada in the last meeting between the countries at Windsor Park in April 1999.

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quote:Originally posted by juaninho

Is this what Canada has to resort to to get a game played out East?

Hmmmmmm, there's a Windsor Park in Halifax .......but that's an army base(or was)

Newfoundlanders (pronounced....NEWFIN..d-LANDERS....not that awful New-FOUND-lund) and Irish speak the same language.

But seriously .....a game .....a game .....a real friendly game yahooooooooooo.

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Well. It's something at least. And we should be able to get some sort of coverage I'd think (one way or another).

Frankie will be forced to used the European based players as all the NA lads will be badly out of season. Given that, I'm very curious to see how Yallop uses Big Kev.

Curious to see if JB gets the call or no.

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From the CSA:

Men's World Cup Team

Friday, December 10, 2004

Canada To Play Northern Ireland in Belfast on February 9

Frank Yallop

Ottawa, Ontario – The Canadian Soccer Association today announced it has reached an agreement with the Irish Football Association for its men’s national team to play Northern Ireland in an international friendly on February 9, 2005 in Belfast.

“We are starting to put together our schedule for 2005 and I am pleased to have this game,” said Yallop. “It is on the international date and so the majority of the players will be available for selection and this will give me yet another indication of what they are capable of.”

The last time the two teams met was on April 27, 1999 in Belfast. The game ended in a 1-1 draw with Marc Bircham scoring on his debut. The first and only other game between the two countries was in the Canada Cup in Edmonton on May 22, 1995 with Canada earning a 2-0 win on goals by Paul Peschisolido.

Yallop will hold a 10-day training camp in Ft. Lauderdale from January 12-22 as he continues the process of looking at potential players and expanding his player pool. The camp will consist primarily of A-League players and European-based players on their winter break.

The team will also hold a training camp with games in Europe from March 20-30. Yallop is also looking to play games in Ontario and/or Quebec in June as part of the preparation for the 2005 Gold Cup which will run from July 6-24 in the United States.

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quote:Originally posted by argh1

Hmmmmmm, there's a Windsor Park in Halifax .......but that's an army base(or was)

Newfoundlanders (pronounced....NEWFIN..d-LANDERS....not that awful New-FOUND-lund) and Irish speak the same language.

But seriously .....a game .....a game .....a real friendly game yahooooooooooo.

It was an attempt at a joke, that the CSA has no idea of where the east coast of canada is and continues to neglect it. The joke being their idea of east coast is N. Ireland. Yes, I know Halifax in Feb. would be pretty cold so that rules that option out.

But I am happy that they will play a friendly so soon. I'd like to see a squad geared towards the Gold Cup - use Radzinski for one half and go with Derosario and Occean up front for the other.

Wonder if Paul Munster will lace them up for the N. Irish?

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This is excellent news. Its quite possible that the CSA will not disappoint me and will actually follow through on its pledge to play more friendlies this year.

The fact that the game is in Europe and that our top players will be able to participate without major travel demands being placed on them is a real plus. It will be interesting to see which players Frank selects. I'd really like to see JB, Kluka, and Tam in the squad. Is there any hope at all that Aguiar and Frank will kiss and make up?

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I think if Canada plays their cards right and continues playing regularly they could get the rebuilding process in gear, meanwhile get more attention from the general media.

Since Northern Ireland is placed below us in the Fifa rankings (107th), What are Canada's chances at winning the game?

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quote:Originally posted by youllneverwalkalone

We'd better win. Things are real bad when Scotland turns you down. Speaking of which, does anybody know the Gary Holt story regarding his former potential 'Canadian' status?

I think Holt was desperate to play internationally. Some family member of his, or step-family member is a Canadian citizen. But he looked into it and needed some sort of permanent residency to gain Canadian citizenship so it was unworkable. (If I recall correctly...)

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quote:Originally posted by El Hombre

From the CSA:

Men's World Cup Team

Friday, December 10, 2004

Canada To Play Northern Ireland in Belfast on February 9

Frank Yallop

Ottawa, Ontario – The Canadian Soccer Association today announced it has reached an agreement with the Irish Football Association for its men’s national team to play Northern Ireland in an international friendly on February 9, 2005 in Belfast.

“We are starting to put together our schedule for 2005 and I am pleased to have this game,” said Yallop. “It is on the international date and so the majority of the players will be available for selection and this will give me yet another indication of what they are capable of.”

The last time the two teams met was on April 27, 1999 in Belfast. The game ended in a 1-1 draw with Marc Bircham scoring on his debut. The first and only other game between the two countries was in the Canada Cup in Edmonton on May 22, 1995 with Canada earning a 2-0 win on goals by Paul Peschisolido.

Yallop will hold a 10-day training camp in Ft. Lauderdale from January 12-22 as he continues the process of looking at potential players and expanding his player pool. The camp will consist primarily of A-League players and European-based players on their winter break.

The team will also hold a training camp with games in Europe from March 20-30. Yallop is also looking to play games in Ontario and/or Quebec in June as part of the preparation for the 2005 Gold Cup which will run from July 6-24 in the United States.

Boys, some positives here, training camp in Florida? Another camp in March. Sweetness finally some action on the old board here. Hopefully were gonna get a couple more friendlies in March, im all of a sudden all excited again!! This is really a very winnable game

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