International news: European Championship runners-up Portugal will provide the opposition in Ireland's first game of 2005, the FAI announced yesterday, while the organisation also confirmed Croatia will play Brian Kerr's side in the middle of next month.

Both games will take place in Dublin, where each of the visiting sides should prove a big attraction. It is, however, "Big Phil" Scolari's Portuguese team that will generate the greater sense of anticipation after their Euro 2004 campaign in which players such as Manchester United's Ronaldo and now Deco shone en route to defeat in the final by Greece.

Croatia, meanwhile, will be looking to continue the development of a young panel of players under recently appointed coach Zlatko Kranjcar.

The Croats were disappointed by their showing in Portugal, where they failed to progress to the second round.

Both teams have made a strong start to their World Cup qualifying campaigns, winning their opening two matches, with the Croatians, who beat Hungary at home and Sweden away, particularly impressive.