Cech denies Japan in Kirin stalemate

Both sides had failed to break down Peru in the two previous games before Chelsea goalkeeper Cech ensured the clash in Yokohama also finished in a stalemate. Cech brilliantly saved a Shinji Okazaki header after 78 minutes before acrobatically blocking Tadanari Lee's follow-up.

Denmark great Tomasson retires

DENMARK'S joint record scorer Jon Dahl Tomasson announced his retirement at the age of 34 and said he was moving into a new career as assistant coach of top-flight Dutch side Excelsior Rotterdam. Feyenoord forward Tomasson has not played since scoring in the World Cup match against Japan last year, when he equalled Poul Nielson's record of 52 goals for his country but pulled a thigh muscle in the same game.

Swansea seal deal for 3.5m Graham

Swansea City have confirmed the signing of striker Danny Graham from Watford for a club-record fee. The Barclays Premier League new boys have splashed 3.5million on the 25-year-old, who is set to sign a four-year contract.

Graham was the top scorer in the npower Championship last season with 24 goals and was a reported target for a host of top-flight sides.

Helguson commits future to QPR

ICELAND striker Heidar Helguson has signed a new one-year contract with Queens Park Rangers. The 33-year-old scored 13 goals to help the west London club win promotion to the Barclays Premier League as champions. Helguson told the club's website: "My future lies here. You want to get things sorted out as early as possible and I've been able to do that, which feels good. It will be tough (next season], but I think we have got a great chance of doing well."

Last night's results

European Championship qualifying

Group A: Azerbaijan 1 Germany 3

Group C: Faroe Islands L Estonia L

Group D: Belarus 2 Luxembourg 0; Bosnia-Herzegovina L Albania L

Group E: San Marino L Hungary L; Sweden L Finland L.

Friendlies: Australia 0 Serbia 0; Austria L Latvia L; Japan 0 Czech Republic 0 (Kirin Cup); Norway 1 Lithuania 0; Paraguay L Bolivia L; Republic of Ireland L Italy L ; Russia 0 Cameroon 0; South Korea 2 Ghana 1; Venezuela L Spain L