The European Under-21 Championship qualifiers conclude in September and October, so these friendlies will serve as preparation for the games.
Ireland’s Leon Ayinde, Jack Moorhouse, Trent Kone-Doherty, Romeo Akachukwu and Jaden Umeh(Image: INPHO/Aleksandar Djorovic)
Ireland will return to Croatia for the third year in a row as Jim Crawford makes his final preparations for the last three games of the European Under-21 qualification campaign.
The Gradski Stadion in Zagreb will be the venue once again for games against the hosts (Saturday June 6) and Qatar’s Under-23s (Tuesday June 9).
It’s a repeat of last year’s friendlies, when Ireland lost 1-0 to Croatia and drew with Qatar.
Croatia currently sit on top of Group H and are unbeaten in their qualification campaign, while Qatar are fresh from their Under-23 Asian Cup campaign.
Crawford will name his squad on June 1 and will be missing James Abankwah, Mason Melia, Alex Murphy and Jaden Umeh.
They have been called up by Heimir Hallgrímsson for his senior side’s friendlies against Qatar and Canada.
Crawford said: “This June international window is important for us as it gives us an opportunity to assess our options and prepare for the final run-in of the campaign.
“We expect a couple of new additions to the squad but it’s also an opportunity for those players who have been with us throughout the campaign to nail down their squad place.
“Croatia are always a difficult opponent and they’ve had an impressive campaign and then you have Qatar who may have players involved who are five years more senior than some our players.
“We’ve had a young squad all campaign but both games will offer unique challenges and will be important for the players’ development.”
GAMES
Saturday June 6: Croatia U21 v Ireland U21 (Gradski Stadion Vrbovec, 4.30pm Irish Time)
Tuesday June 9: Ireland U21 v Qatar U23 (Gradski Stadion Vrbovec, 3.45 Irish Time)