Brazil clinch 1-0 victory over Ireland

A second-half strike by Robinho gave Brazil a 1-0 win over Ireland in a friendly on Wednesday.

The Real Madrid striker broke the deadlock in the 67th minute when he slammed the ball into the back of the net after receiving a pass from Diego who had linked up with Luis Fabiano.

Before Robinho opened the scoring a number of chances went begging for both sides who were missing key players through injury, with Brazil coach Dunga doing without world player of the year Kaka and the youthful Pato.

Winger Andy Reid and defender Joey O'Brien were absent for Ireland, who are still without a permanent manager, but winger Damien Duff played in his first international for nearly a year following a foot injury.

Duff and captain Robbie Keane both had chances they failed to convert.

Brazil went on the attack early in the game with Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given fending off a strike in the seventh minute by Diego. Given also kept out a shot by Fabiano who tried to make the most of a pass from Robinho.

Ireland caretaker manager Don Givens said that while it was disappointing to lose at Croke Park his team had put in a decent performance, especially given their depleted line-up.

"The quality of the opposition was very, very high," Givens told reporters. "I thought we contained them for long periods. We were very compact, disciplined."

STILL MANAGERLESS

Brazil used the match to try out younger players in what was seen as an opportunity to lay the foundations for the team that will compete at this year's Beijing Olympics and both Lucas and Rafael Sobis were given a run out in the last few minutes.

The match took place against the backdrop of increasing criticism of the Irish FA (FAI) for taking so long to find a manager to replace Steve Staunton whose contract was terminated in October after the team failed to qualify for Euro 2008.

Irish media reported this week that there was growing frustration among players over the issue.

Givens, who heads a three-man panel set up to find a new coach, told the FAI board on Sunday that an appointment was "imminent".

Former England boss Terry Venables and Red Bull Salzburg's former Italy manager Giovanni Trapattoni are reported to be the main contenders for the post.

Givens, though, declined to make any further comment on the issue after the game.