Brazil Dispose of the Irish

The Brazilians in their final game before the World Cup Finals in South Africa later this year comfortably brushed aside the Irish with a convincing 2-0 win. An own goal from Republic of Ireland defender Keith Andrews on the stroke of halftime took the pressure of the Brazilians after a hard-fought first half. Robinho scored the second with a curling shot with fifteen minutes to play on his return to England following his recent move back to Santos from Manchester City.

The Irish pressed the Brazilians hard in the first half managing to restrict their space but as the game went on the brilliant Kaka got into the groove started to create more chances. It was Kaka who started the move that put Robinho into space and it was his dangerous low cross the panicked the Irish defense as Andrews swept the ball into his own net. In the second half the Brazilians dominated and could have added a few more goals with some better finishing. It was a comfortable victory in the end and further reinforced many pundits views that the Brazilians will once again be amongst the favorites to lift the World Cup. Coach Dunga has come under some criticism for his more conservative and pragmatic tactics that have produced a team with less flare than the Brazilians are famous for. Banners at the ground questioned his non-selection of Ronaldinho and AC Milan's Pato but after the match he defended his decision.

"Everybody has had the chance to show what he can do. Both Ronaldinho and Pato have had this chance, and now things are decided," Dunga said. Dunga was also pleased with the return to form of striker Robinho.

"Robinho is a lot happier now that he has left Manchester City and gone back to Brazil and Santos. You can see that he is happy again."

On this form it is hard to look past the Brazilians with only Spain matching their international form right now. Today the Spanish go head to head with France in what looks like the most exciting match up in a full round of international friendlies.

Capello Warns his Players to Behave

England manager Fabio Capello warned his players to behave themselves off the pitch in the lead up to the World Cup after recent sex scandals involving Ashley Cole and John Terry threatened to disrupt the teams preparations.

"The private life is a big problem for some players, but also a big problem for their clubs and, in the end, for me," said Capello. "It'll be really important that the players, in this last period [before the World Cup], are careful in their own private lives at every moment. These are important players and they have to be an example to the children and all the fans. For that reason, they have to stay careful and sacrifice something in their lives."

It will be interesting to see if the players take notice of Capello's warning as no one doubts the man's demands for discipline following the recent sacking of John Terry as captain. Liverpool's Steven Gerrard will wear the captain's armband in their friendly against Egypt.

Browse through Soccer Uniforms extensive collection of soccer kits.