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An absolute classic match that will only add to the intensity of the Japan-Australia rivalry. The two best teams at the competition played a match worthy of a final. Unfortunately the result did not go Australia'a way, with Japan claiming a record fourth title in the 1-0 extra-time win.

The Socceroos celebrated Australia Day with one of their most, if not their most comprehensive performance ever. The 6-0 annihilation of Uzbekistan was emphatic, they dominated all aspects of the game and earnt themselves a spot in the final.

I'm not a big fan of Kewell these days, but credit where credit's due, his late goal was very well taken and put us into the semi-finals. A huge result after our disappointing exit in 2007.

A scrappy match on a wet pitch, but we did enough to win and finish top of the group - objective achieved. However, neither our coach nor our captain sugar-coated it, we'll need to do better in our next match against Iraq.

The key match up of our group finished 1-1. Overall, not a bad result for us, but we might have been able to win had we not been so wasteful. The key concern out of the match is three injuries.

Our opening match at the finals. It's important to get off to a good start (cf: WC 2006 and 2010) and we do, comfortably accounting for football minnows, India, 4-0.

The big news is that Australia has been confirmed as host for the 2015 Asian Cup Finals. It feels like such an anti-climax after our embarrassing showing in the World Cup bid. However it is big news. It's tempting to put down the bid as we were the only entrant. But many countries pulled out when we announced we were bidding, so this is actually a strong point. It will be a big tournament and an excellent chance to build up some football capital. (It still feels like second prize though, doesn't it.)

The first friendly for 2011, doubling as a practice match for the Asian Cup Finals. We fielded a mix of first-choice players and second-stringers. All up, an okay performance for a team that needs to gel. However, we'll definitely need to lift if we want to do well at the finals.

The Matildas capped off a great campaign by winning the women's Asian Cup. In doing so, they outdid their male counterparts by getting there first. Great effort. And a great platform for their World Cup bid next year.

This should have been a straight-forward match and it basically was. We were at home against a team that couldn't qualify and needed only a draw. A scrappy match, but the A-League players got the job done. 1-0 and we're through to the Asian Cup finals in 2011. We'll need to improve for the World Cup and the Asian Cup though.