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Sunderland have confirmed the dates and venues for their pre-season tour of Portugal, and it includes a glamour clash with Europa League finalists and Portuguese Champions Benfica.
With the three games announced, though one opposition team is still to be confirmed, the preseason schedule is really starting to come together. The squad will face off against a trio of local clubs before heading out to the Algarve for somewarm weather stuff. Lovely.
See below for the release from the club:
Sunderland AFC head to Portugal next month for a warm-weather training camp ahead of the 2014-15 Barclays Premier League campaign.
Gus Poyet's side will be based in the Algarve between July 28 and August 3, playing three games during the week.
The Black Cats' first game in the Algarve will take place on Tuesday 29 July at the Estádio Municipal de Albufeira with the opposition to be confirmed soon.
The following evening (Wednesday 30 July) Sunderland will take on Primeira Liga side Benfica, in a special Guadiana Tourneo one-off game, at the Estádio Municipal de Portimão, 8.45pm kick-off (local time)
The Wearsiders will complete the stay in Portugal, taking on top-flight opposition side Vitória Setúbal at the Estádio Municipal de Albufeira, 8:00pm kick-off (local time)
Ticket details for all three fixtures will be announced in due course. Further information on SAFC's pre-season fixtures can be found at www.safc.com.
DATE
OPPOSITION
LOCATION
KICK-OFF TIME
Saturday 19 July
Darlington 1883 FC
Heritage Park, Bishop Auckland
3.00pm
Tuesday 22 July
Carlisle United
Brunton Park, Carlisle
7.30pm
Wednesday 23 July
Hartlepool United
Victoria Park, Hartlepool
7.30pm
Tuesday 29 July
TBC
Estádio Municipal de Albufeira, Algarve
TBC
Wednesday 30 July
Benfica
Estádio Municipal de Portimão, Algarve
8.45pm
(local time)
Saturday 2 August
Vitória Setúbal
Estádio Municipal de Albufeira, Algarve
8:00pm
(local time)
With the fixtures out, preseason coming together, a trio of signings already through the door, and England just about out of the World Cup, the 2014/15 season is starting to feel all that much closer!
