Matt Holland played the full 90 minutes as Ireland lost 2-1 against Nigeria in Dublin on Thursday night. Mick McCarthy had intimated prior to kick-off that the side which lined-up against the Nigerians would be the one which starts against Cameroon on June 1st.

Holland played alongside Roy Keane in the centre of midfield with his main rival, Charlton's Mark Kinsella, starting on the bench and replacing Keane after 64 minutes.

Goals from the somersaultastic Julius Aghahowa and former Colchester loanee Efetobore Sodje put the Nigerians two goals up before Millwall's Steven Reid got one back for the Irish.

Despite reports claiming that the Ireland match would see his international return, former Nigeria skipper Sunday Oliseh played no part in the game.

Oliseh and Town's Finidi George have been exiled from the Nigerian side since leading a players' protest over unpaid fees at the African Nations' Cup in Mali early this year. Both now seem certain to miss out on the World Cup.

Amir Karic's Slovenians face Ghana on Friday in their final friendly before travelling to South Korea, where they play their group games against Spain, South Africa and Paraguay.

Photo: Action Images

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