Hibernian and Lazio Games Scheduled

Friendlies
By Chris O'Brien
July 20 2004

Cardiff City have announced two further friendlies have been arranged as preparations for the 2004/2005 Football League campaign get underway. The club will visit Easter Road to face Hibernian, before entertaining Lazio at Ninian Park.

Cardiff City have added a further two friendlies to their pre-season schedule as they prepare for the 2004/2005 First Division campaign. Lennie Lawrence will take his side up to Scotland for a friendly against ambitious SPL outfit Hibernian, and the club have also successfully booked a home friendly against a Lazio 'XI' who will tour Great Britain over the summer.

The game against Lazio is one that has caused obvious excitement amongst supporters, and on August 2nd it takes place only days after the visit of Spanish outfit Racing Santander on July 31st. These are two impressive matches, although it is thought that Italian giants Lazio may not field a full strength side at Ninian Park. Big crowds are expected for both games, and initial fears that the Bob Bank may not be open due to maintenance to the stand roof have now been squashed.

Despite the attractiveness of the Lazio match, the visit to Scotland to face Hibernian may be a more beneficial warm-up for the players. City make the trip north of the border on July 24th, a date previously set aside for the friendly against Mansfield Town that was later postponed. The Bluebirds should take a decent following to Easter Road, with a Hibernian / Cardiff City flag having been seen on the Bob Bank for years.

This leaves the current pre-season fixture list looking as follows:
20th July - Chester City (away)
24th July - Hibernian (away)
27th July - Yeovil Town (away)
29th July - Cheltenham Town (away)
31st July - Racing Santander (home)
2nd August - Lazio (home)
3rd August - Forest Green Rovers (away)