Irish confirm Greece and Poland friendlies

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AppId is over the quota

Republic of Ireland have announced home friendlies against Greece and Poland as coach Giovanni Trapattoni bids to prepare his side for their round of FIFA World Cup™ qualifiers.

Trapattoni's side, who crashed out of UEFA EURO 2012 at the group stage after losing all three matches, will face Greece in Dublin on 14 November and then welcome Poland to Lansdowne Road on 6 February next year.

Republic of Ireland kicked off their bid to reach the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil with a hard-fought win in Kazakhstan on Friday and Trapattoni said: "These matches provide me with a very important opportunity to work with the squad.

"We can test ourselves against strong European opposition in preparation for the pivotal World Cup Qualification double header against Sweden and Austria in March 2013."

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Brazil set up Iraq and Japan friendlies

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Brazil will face Brazilian football legend and current Iraq coach Zico before the Samba Kings match up against one of his former teams, Japan, in two October friendlies, the Brazilian Football Confederation announced today.

The Brazilians, who as hosts will qualify for 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ automatically, will play Iraq in Malmo on 11 October and then Japan, the side Zico coached from 2002 to 2006, on 16 October in Wroclaw.

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