The FAI have confirmed that Brazil will visit Dublin for a friendly game against the Republic of Ireland on February 6th. It will be the five times World Cup winners' fourth visit to Dublin and should yield a substantial boost to the finances of the association.
The last time they visited, in early 2004, a strong team that included Roberto Carlos, Kaka, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho was held to a generally entertaining goalless draw by an Irish side made up of somewhat less celebrated players. The Republic's only win over the country currently ranked number two in the world came back in May 1987 when Liam Brady scored the game's only goal.
When it was originally suggested several months ago that Brazil would return next year it was reported that the occasion would serve as a major fundraiser for charity but the promoters behind that proposal are not now involved and so the match will be organised in the normal way by the FAI.
Though the South Americans generally charge over €1 million to play friendly matches and hiring the venue will cost much the same again, the FAI will be hopeful that they can sell the game out, something that could potentially generate a profit of €2 million or more when related income is taken into account.
Technically, the game is subject to final agreement being reached with the GAA on the terms of Croke Park's availability as it is not covered by the arrangement struck last year in relation to qualifiers but that is not expected to be a major hurdle.
Don Givens, meanwhile, has been hit by two withdrawals, neither of them hugely unexpected, for next week's European Championship encounter with Wales in Cardiff. Bolton's Joey O'Brien and Steven Reid of Blackburn Rovers have both been pulled out by their clubs. O'Brien is currently sidelined by a hamstring problem while Reid has yet to play a first-team game after more than a year out due to a knee injury.
Wolves midfielder Darren Potter has been added to the squad while Aidan Downes has been called up to the under-21 squad as cover for Anthony Stokes who will miss the team's trip to Montenegro because of his involvement with the seniors.
Meanwhile, Pat Devlin paid tribute yesterday to Steve Staunton who, he said, "is a fantastic character, a thorough professional and a good coach", but who suffered because people "never got to know the real Steve Staunton". The Ireland B team manager was speaking as he named his squad for the game on Tuesday week against Scotland in Airdrie.
Among the 18 players he hopes to assemble is Caleb Folan, the Hull City striker who pulled out injured when previously called into the first-team panel by Staunton.
"This will be the test," said Devlin of his decision to offer Folan another opportunity. "If he doesn't want to play then he doesn't want to play but I think this is the way to go. The thinking before was that we were short of a target man and we wanted to have a look at him. It didn't happen and I thought it was a good idea to give it another go now."
Though there is no senior manager to benefit from the outing at present, Devlin feels that the trip to Scotland will still be a worthwhile exercise although he remains unsure of whether Staunton's successor will want future games to be organised.
"When we started out (with Staunton) it was all part of a four- year plan and that's gone now so we just have to wait and see. This is the next game and after that I don't know but if somebody wants me to stay on then we'll talk about it."
League champions Drogheda United have two players - goalkeeper Dan Connor and defender Graham Gartland - in the panel while a number of players to make successful moves from senior clubs here over the past few seasons, including Wes Hoolahan, Sean Dillon and Roy O'Donovan, are also included.
"I wanted to strike a balance between players based in the League of Ireland, Scotland and the Championship or Premiership but I was a little bit constrained because of the other games - the under-21s and under-23s - that are scheduled for around the same time.
Colin Doyle of Birmingham City will travel to Scotland direct from Cardiff as he is a member of Givens' squad for the Wales game,
IRELAND B SQUAD (v Scotland): Doyle (Birmingham City), Connor (Drogheda United), Bruce (Ipswich Town), Gartland (Drogheda United), Foley (Wolves), Dillon (Dundee United), Goodwin (Scunthorpe), Doyle (Coventry City), Tabb (Coventry City), Whelan (Sheffield Wednesday), Hoolahan (Blackpool), Bell (Luton Town), Folan (Hull City), O'Donovan (Sunderland) Yeates (Colchester), Hunt (Dundee United), Walters (Ipswich Town), Ward (Wolves).
