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<\/p>\nThe European Under-21 Championship qualifiers conclude in September and October, so these friendlies will serve as preparation for the games.<\/p>\n
Ireland’s Leon Ayinde, Jack Moorhouse, Trent Kone-Doherty, Romeo Akachukwu and Jaden Umeh(Image: INPHO\/Aleksandar Djorovic)<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The Gradski Stadion in Zagreb will be the venue once again for games against the hosts (Saturday June 6) and Qatar\u2019s Under-23s (Tuesday June 9).<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a repeat of last year\u2019s friendlies, when Ireland lost 1-0 to Croatia and drew with Qatar.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Crawford will name his squad on June 1 and will be missing James Abankwah, Mason Melia, Alex Murphy and Jaden Umeh.<\/p>\n
They have been called up by Heimir Hallgr\u00edmsson<\/a> for his senior<\/a> side\u2019s friendlies against Qatar and Canada.<\/p>\n Crawford said: \u201cThis 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.<\/p>\n \u201cWe expect a couple of new additions to the squad but it\u2019s also an opportunity for those players who have been with us throughout the campaign to nail down their squad place.<\/p>\n \u201cCroatia are always a difficult opponent and they\u2019ve had an impressive campaign and then you have Qatar who may have players involved who are five years more senior than some our players.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve had a young squad all campaign but both games will offer unique challenges and will be important for the players\u2019 development.\u201d<\/p>\n GAMES<\/p>\n Saturday June 6: Croatia U21 v Ireland U21 (Gradski Stadion Vrbovec, 4.30pm Irish Time)<\/p>\n Tuesday June 9: Ireland U21 v Qatar U23 (Gradski Stadion Vrbovec, 3.45 Irish Time)<\/p>\n