| Sunderland Announce First Pre Season Friendly.
From: SAFC
Sunderland will play Ajax in a pre-season friendly in August to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the club's 1973 FA Cup win.
Roy Keane's men take on the four-time European Cup winners in a show-piece game at the Stadium of Light on Sunday August 3 (3pm).
The match is the culmination of a series of events to mark the 35th anniversary of Sunderland's win over Leeds, and part of the proceeds will go to support the 1973 team's year of celebration.
Niall Quinn, Sunderland's chairman, said: "The 1973 team gave our club one of its finest moments so we're delighted to mark the anniversary with what is a showpiece game at the Stadium of Light.
"The match will also play a vital part in the manager's pre-season preparations.
"Ajax is one of the biggest clubs in the world. Their domestic and European record is there to be admired and they also boast one of the best reputations for producing top young players.
"They last played here to open the Stadium of Light 11 years ago and we're delighted to welcome them back."
It is the first of Sunderland's 2008 pre-season games to be announced.
Keane said: "It's great to have top opposition lined up. It'll be an important part of our preparations and it should be a top game for what is an important anniversary for this football club."
Sunderland played Ajax in the Stadum of Light's first game in July 1997.
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Wow, Juventus last season and now Ajax this season. I'll certainly be getting down to this as the game against Juventus was great. |