Soccer

Ireland will host Iceland’s thunder clap at the Aviva in March

Iceland will come to Dublin for a friendly international on March 28th

Iceland’s thunder clap, one of the highlights of Euro 2016. Photograph: Getty Images
Iceland’s thunder clap, one of the highlights of Euro 2016. Photograph: Getty Images
Fri Oct 21 2016 - 13:46

Iceland will visit the Aviva Stadium in the new year to face the Republic of Ireland in a friendly international.

The fixture is set for March 28th, at 7.45pm.

Quarter-finalists at Euro 2016, Iceland - who are placed 21st in the world rankings - will make their fourth visit to Dublin in what will be the first meeting of the teams since September 1997.

Iceland’s fighting spirit on the field, along with their supporter’s thunder clap chant in the stands, caught the imagination during the summer in France.

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Promoted by the FAI as ‘a bonus’ game for season ticket holders, the game will arrive four days after Martin O’Neill’s team will have played Wales in their first World Cup Qualifier of 2017 - which will also be hosted at the Aviva Stadium.

Now managed by Heimir Hallgrimsson, Iceland have continued their good form from Eeuro 2016 by matching Ireland in their opening three World Cup qualifiers with two wins and one draw, as they sit joint top of Group I.

This is the second friendly announced thus far for 2017, as Ireland will also take on Uruguay on June 4th.

Season ticket holders will have access to the game, a bonus eighth game within their package.