International Blues ..

Blues keeper Maik Taylor was selected in Lawrie Sanchez's starting XI for Northern Ireland's international friendly against Portugal on Tuesday evening.

Portugal had led through a Stephen Craigan own goal just before half-time but Luton Town striker Warren Feeney's header on 53 minutes earned the Irish a share of the spoils in Belfast.

Taylor played for the full ninety minutes.

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Australia: Stan Lazaridis

Blues winger Stan Lazaridis was part of the Australia squad that qualified for the 2006 World Cup by beating play-off rivals Uruguay on penalties in Sydney.

The Socceroo's went into the 2nd leg a goal down but Marco Bresciano's 35th-minute goal levelled the tie.

The Australians qualified by winning 4-2 in the resulting penalty shoot-out.

It is the first time Australia have reached the finals since 1974.

Lazaridis was an unused sub for the game in Sydney.

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Czech Republic: Jiri Jarosik

Jiri Jarosic was part of the Czech Republic squad for their World Cup play-off match against Norway on Wednesday night.

Leading 1-0 from the first leg, the Czech's booked their place in the 2006 finals in Germany with a 1-0 win in Prague courtesy of a 35th minute goal from Tomas Rosicky.

Jarosik was an unused sub at the Toyota Arena.