Kaka set for long-awaited return

Brazil vs Iraq match preview- International friendly

Real Madrid midfielder Kaka hopes tomorrow night’s friendly against Iraq in Sweden will kickstart his international career after a two-year absence.

The 30-year-old has not played for the Selecao since the 2010 World Cup and is eagerly anticipating his first return to the side since injury cost him his place in Mano Menezes’ squad to face Gabon and Egypt last November.

He is expected to be named in the starting 11 in Malmo, but is keen to ensure this will be the first of many matches he will appear in for his national side.

“I’m very happy for being back. I want to settle down in the national team and win my place. I still have a number to things to achieve,” Kaka told reporters.

“I was far away from the national team, but my injury problems have disappeared and my physical form has also improved.”

Kaka had been anticipating a recall to the national side for some time and was delighted to finally be welcomed back.

“This is like the first time I was called up to the squad,” he said.

“I’ve followed all the nominations expecting to be included, even when I knew it was quite difficult to be.”

Paris St Germain defender Thiago Silva has backed Kaka to make an instant impact on his return to the international fold.

“He’s a player who can make a difference,” the defender told Globo Esporte.

“He was not the best in the world for nothing, he already showed his quality on the pitch. It will be another player to share responsibility.”

The friendly against Iraq is the first of a European-based double-header for the Brazilians, which concludes with a match against Japan in Poland on Tuesday.

Iraq coach Zico, meanwhile, is unhappy that his team are playing a friendly against the South Americans just days before a crucial World Cup qualifier against Australia.

The former Brazil international told Globo Esporte: “Next Tuesday we play a very important match against Australia in Qatar. We were training there so going to another country to play this match and then go back is not ideal.

“We are losing the advantage we had over the Australians, who are also doing a long trip to Doha.

“Also we are the only national team who cannot play World Cup qualifiers at home.”

This will be the third time Zico has faced the Selecao as coach of a foreign country.

His previous two meetings – a 2-2 draw at the 2005 Confederations Cup and a 4-1 loss at the 2006 World Cup – came while he was coach of Japan.

But Zico, who won 72 caps for his country, admits it is the pre-match rituals that present him with the most trouble when lining up against his compatriots.

“The national anthem is the most difficult moment, very emotional. I’ve played for Brazil for a long time,” he said.

“This is a friendly match, but the other two games, which were at official tournaments, were much more tough.”

Zico says a heavy defeat could be damaging to the morale of his side and has called on his players to step up to the plate against their illustrious opponents.

“I’m always worried about a big defeat to unbalance our confidence, but when will these players have the opportunity to play Brazil again in the future?” he said.

“This is a unique chance and we must profit from it.”

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Vertonghen targets away win

Jan Vertonghen insists Belgium are targeting all three points from their tricky World Cup qualifier in Belgrade on Friday night – but has warned his defensive colleagues to be at their best if they are to claim the victory.

Belgium travel to Serbia eyeing a return to winning ways in Group A after opening with a 2-0 win over Wales in their first qualifier before being held to a 1-1 draw at home to Croatia last time out.

Serbia are seeking to continue the momentum of their 6-1 hammering of Wales and lead the group on four points, ahead of the fancied Belgians on goal difference.

Friday night’s match could be crucial to deciding the outcome of a fiercely competitive section, and Vertonghen believes the visitors have reason to be optimistic.

“The match in Serbia will be one of the hardest, but everyone knows how important this is,” the Tottenham defender told reporters.

“We’ll go for the three points, but must be sharp in the defence. Serbia is starting a new phase where a lot of new players must be integrated.

“It looks like the situation we were in a few years ago and everyone knows how hard that is. We must take advantage of that.”

Belgium will be without the in-form Marouane Fellaini.

The Everton midfielder has been pivotal for his side this season but a knee injury sustained against Wigan last week will keep him out of both Friday’s match and Tuesday’s clash with Scotland in Brussels.

Serbia, meanwhile, will be without goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic after he broke his collarbone in a league match for Partizan Belgrade on Sunday.

Udinese’s Zeljko Brkic is expected to deputise between the sticks.

Group A also witnesses a mouth-watering ‘Battle of Britain’ contest on Friday as Wales and Scotland look to get their stuttering campaigns up and running in Cardiff.

Both sides have endured disappointing starts to their campaign with the Scots drawing against Macedonia and Serbia and the Welsh occupying bottom spot after defeat to Belgium was followed by their horror show against Serbia.

Wales have been given a boost on the eve of the contest after Gareth Bale was passed fit to play after suffering a heel problem, and manager Chris Coleman will be wanting a big performance from the Spurs winger as he bids to avoid a fifth straight defeat at the start of his tenure.

Wales coach John Hartson admits Wales’ return of one goal from their opening two matches is a concern, but has backed his players to come good.

He said: “If we weren’t really creating chances I’d be more worried.

“Hopefully we can create plenty of chances, get the crowd behind us and we can score some goals.”

Celtic midfielder Kris Commons, meanwhile, has stressed the importance of Scotland taking maximum points if they are to have any chance of qualifying for the 2014 finals.

“We need to win against Wales first and then we can see about Belgium after that,” the Scotland forward said.

“After two draws it is important to get a win and the way the group is set up, that could put us right into contention.

“The next two games are really important but it was always going to be a group where countries take points off each other.”

Croatia travel to Macedonia in Friday’s remaining Group A clash.

The Croatians defeated Macedonia in their opening game before drawing in Belgium, while Macedonia have just a point to show from their first two games

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