Rafael Nadal saw off the challenge of the Czech Republic's Radek Stepanek 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 in the quarterfinal of the Rome Masters.
The tournament begins on April 10. One team from each of the three groups makes it to the final phase.\n\n
The Goan sides battled to a 2-2 draw in a 21st round National Football League match.
Gustavo Kuerten, returning after a seven-month injury lay-off, was humbled by Alberto Martin in the second round.
16 teams will be seen in action in the tournament, to be held in Kolkata.
The last time Brazil played Ireland, in a friendly on the same ground in 1987, they lost 1-0.
Rivaldo has been left out of the Brazil squad as he will be playing in the Libertadores Cup for his Brazilian club Cruzeiro.
The 18 year old captured his second ATP Tour title in as many weeks.
Barcelona could be without captain Andres Iniesta for the rest of the year after the midfielder sustained a knee injury in an eventful 3-2 La Liga win for the leaders at Valencia on Saturday.
Gaston Gaudio beat Alberto Martin in straight sets to set up an all-Argentine final against wildcard Mariano Puerta in the Buenos Aires Open.
There is only one team in the world which can rest high profile players and still win.
Real Madrid striker Benzema and Bayern Munich forward Ribery, who are not attending the four-day trial, are being tried on charges of paying Zahia Dehar, a prostitute-turned-fashion model, for sex in 2008 and 2009, when she was aged 16 and 17.
Mohammedan Sporting taking on former champions Mohun Bagan in the inaugural match at the Salt Lake stadium in Kolkata.
In other European football action Real Madrid were left frustrated after a goalless draw against Athletic Bilbao in their La Liga match on Sunday.
The beat Serbia & Montenegro 3-0 in the final to win the title for a fifth time in the past seven tournaments.
Mahesh Bhupathi, Rohan Bopanna and Sania Mirza advanced to the second round of doubles events at Wimbledon on Wednesday.
The Barcelona forward's comeback could see Brazil attack with the "three Rs" in the World Cup qualifier against Ecuador.\n\n
Paris St Germain extended their Ligue 1 lead to 13 points with a 4-3 home victory against Girondins de Bordeaux on Sunday but the French champions were again exposed at the back and had Neymar sent off. A Marquinhos double, Edinson Cavani's 200th PSG goal and a goal by Kylian Mbappe put the capital side on 65 points from 26 games but they lost captain Thiago Silva to a muscle injury and Neymar picked up a straight red card for a late challenge in stoppage time.
Brazil's coach will go with experience in the South American qualifying competition for the 2006 World Cup.
Goals from David Trezeguet and Pavel Nedved gave them a 2-0 win at Modena on Saturday.
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The former Brazil ace hardly touched the ball in an apathetic performance for Fluminense.
Ronaldo has been recalled by Brazil for this month's match against France which coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has described as the "game of the year".
Third seed Rainer Schuettler was the only high-profile casualty on the first day of the Rome Masters on Monday when he lost 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 to America's Vincent Spadea.
The former overpowered Alberto Martin while Coria beat David Nalbandian at the Monte Carlo Masters.
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The 23-year-old studied at Harvard before turning professional on the tennis tour and Serena thinks he has got it all.
The 57 year-old coach, who led Brazil to a fourth World Cup title in 1994, will be in charge of the team till the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
Cristiano Ronaldo was involved in all three of his team's goals as Juventus came from behind to beat Napoli 3-1 in a Serie A top-of-the-table clash on Saturday to maintain their perfect start to the season.
Coach Parreira counted 27 scoring chances for Brazil which suggested to him that they had done more than enough to win against Uruguay.
British journeyman Stephen Cummings earned South African team MTN-Qhubeka a landmark victory on Mandela Day when he spoiled a French party to take a surprise win in the 14th stage of the Tour de France on Saturday.
The AC Milan striker is likely to step-in for injured Ronaldinho in Brazil's 2006 World Cup qualifier against Peru.\n\n
Brazil's coach is confident his team will do well against Portugal.
