Canada To Play Northern Ireland in Belfast on February 9

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.