China coming to Dublin

 Soccer International news: The FAI are set to confirm a March 29th friendly international with China at Lansdowne Road over the coming days while negotiations are at an advanced stage for another home game in the autumn against as yet unnamed opposition, with August 17th or September 3rd the dates available in the FIFA calendar.

Germany had been reported in some sections of the media to have agreed to provide the opposition for the game in March but a FAI spokesman yesterday flatly denied the World Cup finalists had ever been involved in serious talks about the date.

Instead it seems the Chinese, who play Spain four days earlier, will make their first visit to the Republic for what would only be only their second meeting with the Irish. The previous game, at Sapporo in Japan 21 years ago, ended in a 1-0 win for the team then managed by Eoin Hand.

China, who were eliminated from the World Cup qualifiers before Christmas when they missed out on top spot to Korea in their second round group on the basis of goals scored, have been looking to confirm another game against European opposition for the date in question for some time. Ranked 54th in the world they have a number of players based in Western leagues.

It will be the 12th of 17 friendlies played by the Republic of Ireland at home since Brian Kerr succeeded Mick McCarthy as manager with two of the remaining five, the matches against Nigeria and Jamaica, having taken place in London under the banner of the Unity Cup.

The game will take place on the Tuesday night which is line with Kerr's policy of playing midweek games a day early in order to release players back to their clubs 24 hours earlier than would otherwise be popular.

It also provides Kerr with the opportunity to watch France's game in Tel Aviv which Raymond Domenech's side visit five days after Ireland's game in the Israeli capital.