The middle of last week saw a very large number of international football friendlies, played all over the world. With the World Cup less than 90 days away, coaches and team managers keenly watched these games with the aim of deciphering possible final combinations. However, not all matches involved the already announced 32 world cup finalists, as other nations, who failed to make it to Brazil, also participated. Since most football stars are playing in various international leagues all the year round, the friendlies afford them invaluable opportunities for combining under national colors to sort out adaptability issues arising from playing under different circumstances. The friendlies also provide preliminary testing ground and help team coaches in planning strategies and selecting the final teams. Since no one wants to be left out of football’s most celebrated event, professional footballers, too go into friendlies with utmost seriousness. Most matches were held in the night of last Wednesday, either at home or away but as it turned out, there were mixed fortunes for some of international stars, raring to go to Brazil this summer.