South Korea 5 - Hong Kong 0 (East Asian Championship, February 7, 2010) Midfielder Kim Jung-woo gave the Koreans an early lead with a header in the 10th minute. Ku Ja Cheol, Lee Dong-gook and Lee Sang-yeoul also scored in the first half to essentially put the game away before halftime. No Byung-joon added another in injury time to complete the scoring.

Japan 0 - China 0 (East Asian Championship, February 6, 2010) China were awarded the penalty when defender Yuto Nagatomo handled the ball in the area, but keeper Narazaki made a diving save on Rong Hao’s spot kick.

Japan 0 - Venezuela 0 (International Friendly, February 2, 2010) The Blue Samurai lacked the cutting edge to break down the visitors in a disappointing start to their World Cup preparations in chilly Oita.

Ghana 0 - Egypt 1 (African Cup of Nations Final, January 31, 2010) Egypt became the first country in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations to win the trophy three times in a row by beating Ghana. Substitute Mohamed Nagy Gedo was the hero, finishing the tournament’s top scorer with five goals and scoring the only goal of the game in the 85th minute after playing a one-two with Mohamed Zidan.

Nigeria 1 - Algeria 0 (African Cup of Nations third-placed playoff, January 30, 2010) Obinna Nsofor used a sudden burst of speed to go around two defenders in the 55th minute before coolly slotting the ball past Mohamed Lamine.

Algeria 0 - Egypt 4 (African Cup of Nations semi-finals, January 28, 2010) Egypt broke the deadlock against their fierce rivals Algeria five minutes from the break, Halliche was caught out by a long ball over the top and lunged Motab as the striker moved to collect the ball. A penalty was called, Halliche saw red, and Hosni Abou Rabou slotted away the spot kick after stuttering in his run-up. The Pharaohs confirmed their place in the final with a second on the 65th minute, Mohamed Zidan received the ball about 30 yards out, dribbled forward, twisted one way and another, before curling a sweet left-footer into the top corner from 18-yards out. Pompey’s Nadir Belhadj then saw red for a disgraceful two footed tackle as Algeria fell to pieces, and the 9-men suffered more humiliation when Mohamed Abdelshafi netted a third from a tight angle as Egypt ran riot. Algeria’s awful evening was completed when keeper Faouzi Chaouchi saw red for stupidly kicking out at Gedo to leave his team with eight men, and Mohamed Nagy Gedo rounded off the win with a late fourth - leaving the striker with five goals in seven matches for his country.

Ghana 1 - Nigeria 0 (African Cup of Nations semi-finals, January 28, 2010) Ghana struck after 21 minutes in their semi final with Nigeria, Udinese’s playmaker Asamoah hit an out-swinging corner towards the near post and Asamoah Gyan headed powerfully into the net. In the second half the Super Eagles threw the proverbial kitchen sink at the Black Stars, but a determined and gritty defensive display earned Ghana a place in the final for the first time in 18 years.