Japan hold Croatia
Japan hold Croatia
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Sunday, 18, Jun 2006 04:19
Japan and Croatia played out an entertaining 0-0 draw in today's group F clash, as both sets of players toiled in the excessive heat of Nuremburg.
Although the draw means Croatian and Japanese World Cup dreams remain alive, both teams could have done with the three points, and it is the Europeans who will feel the most aggrieved having missed a first-half penalty.
Enterprising wing-back Darijo Srna had his spot-kick athletically saved by the unpredictable Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi, while Niko Kranjcar and Ivan Klasnic also both went close for the Croatians.
In the early exchanges the teams had matched each other with accurate but ultimately fruitless passing moves, with both knowing that a second group stage defeat would result in an early tournament elimination.
The game burst into life in the 20th minute though, when Rangers hitman Dado Prso was clumsily challenged by Japanese skipper Tsuneyasu Miyamoto, whose resulting booking means he will miss next Thursday's glamour tie against world champions Brazil.
But thanks to some underhand delaying tactics and a fantastic save from Kawaguchi, Srna's low penalty was turned round the left-hand post.
Shortly afterwards Croatia looked to assert their dominance when Kranjcar, son of manager Zlatko, turned elegantly and smashed the ball against the crossbar from 25 yards out.
Japan meanwhile were reduced to shooting from long-range, with keeper Stipe Pletikosa's palms being stung by Brazilian-born Alex Santos and Hidetoshi Nakata.
As in their opening game against Australia, the Japanese appeared a little short upfront, despite Celtic wizard Shunsuke Nakamura again impressing by pulling the strings in midfield.
But the Japanese were fortunate not to go in at half-time behind when a routine backpass bobbled up horribly in front of Kawaguchi, with the ex-Portsmouth keeper relieved to see the ball roll out for a corner, in what could have been the most embarrassing goal ever conceded in World Cup history.
Shortly into the second half, however, Zico's men created the best chance of the game by far, with Akira Kaji squaring the ball for Atsushi Yanagisawa, only to watch his team-mate poke the ball horribly wide despite having the goal at his mercy from two yards out.
As the game went on the heat began to take its toll, with Croatia increasingly dominating the possession.
But the European side failed to exploit their obvious height advantage at set pieces, and despite always looking the most likely to score, especially through substitute Ivica Olic. the game ended deadlocked.
Whatever the result in this evening's second group F game between Brazil and Australia, who both won their opening games, today's point gained for Japan and Croatia means that a victory in their final match will probably see them through.