International Friendlies: Reports from a selection of some of the other matches that took place around Europe.
SWITZERLAND 2 SLOVENIA 1: Midfielder Hakan Yakin headed home five minutes from time to end Switzerland's - one of the Republic of Ireland's World Cup group four opponents - recent poor run. Slovenia striker Zlatko Zahovic opened the scoring in first-half injury-time with a well-taken goal from 18 metres following a one-two with Ermin Siljak. Swiss substitute Fabio Celestini fired home a 66th minute equaliser after Yakin had cleverly squared a free kick across the edge of the penalty area.
HUNGARY 1 BRAZIL 4: World champions Brazil showed their class with a dazzling performance. First-half goals from Kaka and a Luis Fabiano double wrapped up victory for Brazil by the break with a superb Ronaldinho solo effort rounding off the night at the Ferenc Puskas Stadium. It was the first time the Brazilians had beaten Hungary in an official match in five attempts. Hungary pulled one back just before the hour when substitute striker Sandor Torghelle broke free and raced through to score on the rebound.
HOLLAND 4 GREECE 0: Three goals in the second half set the Netherlands on their way to a crushing 4-0 victory over fellow Euro 2004 participants Greece. Roy Makaay opened the scoring five minutes into the second half when he slid in a Boudewijn Zenden cross. Eight minutes later Zenden doubled the lead with a deflected shot, and Johnny Heitinga scored his first international goal when he nodded home. Substitute striker Pierre van Hooijdonk added the fourth for the home side a minute from time.
CZECH REP 0 JAPAN 1: A first-half goal from Tatsuhiko Kubo gave Japan a shock 1-0 win over the Czech Republic. It was a second successive defeat, after their 2-1 loss in Dublin, for the Czechs following a run of 20 unbeaten matches, a disappointing result for a team with high ambitions at this year's European Championship. Kubo shrugged off Tomas Ujfalusi on the right side of the penalty area and gave goalkeeper Petr Cech no chance with a powerful shot under the crossbar after 32 minutes.
N IRELAND 1 SERBIA & MONTENEGRO 1: Lawrie Sanchez's side have gone from a team that could not buy a victory to one that has become difficult to beat. Northern Ireland ended a 15-match run without a win by defeating Estonia last month. Last night they carried on that good form by securing a draw in a friendly against Serbia and Montenegro, a team ranked 71 places above them in the world rankings. James Quinn marked his comeback by equalising after Veljko Paunovic had opened the scoring.
BULGARIA 3 CAMEROON 0: In-form striker Dimitar Berbatov scored twice to help Bulgaria ease past 10-man Cameroon. Berbatov opened the scoring in the seventh minute from a perfect cross by Zdravko Lazarov, heading home powerfully from eight metres. The Bayer Leverkusen striker converted a penalty nine minutes after the break after Cameroon defender Lucien Mettomo was shown the red card for deliberate handball. Lazarov gave goalkeeper Souleymanou Hamidou no chance for the third.
