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Japan dominant in Africa - Asia friendly... Beckham back to boost the Galaxy... And the NBA magicians continue their China adventure. SOCCER JAPAN Japan entertained Egypt in the AFC Asia-Africa Challenge Cup at the Nagai Stadium in Osaka on Wednesday. Japan coach Ivica Osim saw his side take the lead when Yoshito Okubo scored his first goal for his country in the 20th minute. The 25-year-old Vissel Kobe striker put the home side 2-0 ahead just before half time when he headed in a cross from Osaka midfielder Yasuhito Endo. The 2004 Asian Cup champions went 3-0 ahead on 53 minutes through Jubilo Iwata striker Ryoichi Maeda for what was also his first goal for his country after he exchanged passes with Satoru Yamagishi before finishing from close range. The five-times CAF Africa Cup of Nations champions, who were playing without many of their top players, managed to pull a goal back moments later when midfielder Hosni Abdrabo hit a free kick from outside the area. The ball struck forward Mohamed Fadl's face and went in. Any hint of a comeback was dashed in the 67th minute as Yuichi Komano crossed for Akira Kaji to score and Japan ran out comfortable 4-1 winners. SOCCER KOREA South Korea travelled to play Syria in an Olympic Games Group B qualifier at the Hamdanyeh Stadium in Aleppo City on Wednesday. The South Koreans started the match looking for a win which would enhance their lead at the top of the group, which also includes Bahrain and Uzbekistan. They had the first real chance of the game, but Lee Sang Ho headed wide when well placed. The South Koreans controlled much of the game, but Syria had a good opportunity in the second half when Hassan Dalli's shot flew just over the crossbar. The Syrians were grateful to their goalkeeper Holami Ali as the game was drawing to a close. After his defence were unable to clear the ball, he saved from Park Chu Young and Seo Dong Hyeon. The match ended goalless which gave South Korea 10 points, Bahrain are in second place on seven. SOCCER BECKHAM After months of disappointing results, the Los Angeles Galaxy have finally put together a decent run of form. They've won five games in a row, and as a result are back in play-off contention. Better still for the Galaxy, David Beckham could return to action on Thursday when the New York Red Bulls visit the Home Depot Center. The former England captain has been out for over six weeks with a sprained right knee. But after completing a rigorous training session on Tuesday, the team are now talking about having Beckham back in the fold for the next game. SOUNDBITE: (English) "He looks great. He's getting closer. Last week he was still a little more ginger I think. But he looks... he gets into tackles, he's running, he's sprinting, he's cutting... so he looks good to me." SUPERCAPTION: Landon Donovan, LA Galaxy striker. SOUNDBITE: (English) "We know the quality of David, what he brings to a team. So if he's feeling good and we want to do that we'll do it. He's trained well today. Last week was a good week for him. We didn't push him and he didn't push himself, so that didn't put him back. He trained a couple of days and had a couple days rest. I think that was important to him and now he feels pretty good. His fitness is getting up, he's not 90 minutes fit, obviously. But, just to get him on the field would be good at this point." SUPERCAPTION: Frank Yallop, LA Galaxy coach. A defeat against the Red Bulls would eliminate the Galaxy from play-off contention, but two more wins will guarantee them a place in the post-season. With a play-off berth in sight and David Beckham poised to return to action, it seems the pieces are falling into place at the right time for the Galaxy. NBA SHANGHAI The Shanghai public were given a glimpse of some of the NBA superstars on Tuesday, as players from the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Orlando Magic took to the streets. It's the first time the players have had a break since arriving in Shanghai on Sunday. They're in China for a series of NBA games which will be the league's second set of pre-season matches in China. In 2004, the NBA became the first American professional sports league to stage games in China, with two contests between the Houston Rockets and the Sacramento Kings. SOUNDBITE: (English) "It's something great, you know for basketball all around the world. I think, you know, it's a big step for the NBA and it's a big step for the teams competing in the NBA teams. So I guess everybody is intimated to show the game and show their talents and show the world what basketball is all about." SUPERCAPTION: Carlos Arroyo, Orlando Magic guard.   <저작권자(c)연합뉴스.무단전재-재배포금지> Japan dominant in Africa - Asia Challenge