Kevin Foley hopes to face Brazil

Feb 6 2008 By Paul Berry, Birmingham Mail

WOLVES defender Kevin Foley admits he would have loved to lock horns with Ronaldinho for the Republic of Ireland tonight - but that earning a first cap against Brazil would still be special enough.

The as-yet uncapped Foley is hoping for a spot on the bench as Ireland host the Samba boys at Croke Park, with Blues' Stephen Kelly, as expected, securing the right-back berth made vacant after the retirements of Steve Carr and Steve Finnan.

Foley would relish any sort of action to make his senior bow, and had been hoping to grab Ronaldinho's shirt before the legendary Barcelona man withdrew from the squad to continue his rehabilitation from injury.

"I was delighted to get called up, I've had a taster of being in the senior squad a few times and have always enjoyed it," said Foley.

"Brazil at Croke Park will be something else.

"Hopefully it will be good experience to be away with top-quality players and training with them and you never know, I might play a part in the game.

"Even if I don't, the experience will be good for me.

"Brazil wouldn't be a bad country to get a first cap against, especially with the calibre of players they've got on the left wing.

"They're a bit spoilt for choice there and I'm just looking forward to being involved.

"I'd have loved to lined up against someone like Ronaldinho, I'd have been after his shirt if he was there!"

Andy Keogh, meanwhile, played the full 90 minutes as Ireland's Under-21 side put up manful resistance before losing 3-0 to England at Southampton last night.

* Sorry. Some editions of yesterday's Mail carried the wrong picture of Phil Parkes.