Denmark beat Senegal 2-0 on Thursday and South Africa defeated Colombia 2-1 in friendly internationals that are set to help the Danes and the Bafana Bafana prepare for the World Cup.
Honduras, however, were held to a 2-2 draw by Belarus in what was also meant as a World Cup warm-up game for the Central Americans.
World Cup hosts South Africa are gaining pace as they approach the event, and they built on their 1-1 draw against Bulgaria earlier this week.
Before packed stands holding 75,000 spectators in Johannesburg’s Soccer City stadium, Teko Modise pulled the hosts ahead in the 18th minute and Katlego Mphela made things 2-0 in the 58th minute, in both cases from the penalty spot.
Giovanni Moreno had momentarily equalized in the 20th minute, also from the spot. Colombia failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup.
The South African side coached by Brazilian Carlos Alberto Parreira are set to open the World Cup in Soccer City, on June 11 against Mexico. In the first round, they are also to face France and Uruguay in Group A.
Denmark also played at home before a sold-out stadium, with 14,000 spectators in Aalborg.
Christian Poulsen put the hosts ahead in the 27th minute, in what was to be Denmark’s last match before travelling to South Africa.
Thomas Enevoldsen set the definitive 2-0 just before the end of the match.
Denmark coach Morten Olsen used the game to see all his men in action, and IFK Goteborg keeper Kim Christensen made his debut with the senior national team.
Simon Kjaer of Italian side Palermo seemed to be in great pain after appearing to have picked up a knee injury in the 82nd minute, but it was not immediately clear how serious his injury was.
Olsen is set to make public on Friday, his definitive pick of 23 men for the World Cup, in which Denmark are to play the first round in Group E, alongside the Netherlands, Japan and Cameroon. Only a few hours later, the squad is scheduled to travel to South Africa.
Earlier on Thursday, a weak Honduras drew 2-2 against Belarus in the Austrian town of Villach.
Honduras pulled ahead in the 25th minute, with a free kick from Julio Cesar Leon that found the net, while Belarus momentarily reversed things with two goals from Anton Putsila in the 55th and the 58th minutes.
Honduras practically declined possession of the ball and focused on counter-attack, but their defence proved weak and slow. Some second-half substitutions appeared to give them a boost, however, and striker Georgie Welcome, who had just come onto the pitch, equalized in the 71st minute with a header.
This was Honduras’ first pre-World Cup friendly in Austria, with two others planned, against Azerbaijan and against Romania.
