JAPAN 0-0 CROATIA

18 June 2006

It was a story of frustration for Japan and Croatia as they played out a goalless draw in Nuremberg on Sunday, 18 June 2006.

The pivotal moment of the match came in the 22nd minute when Japan goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi saved Darijo Srna's penalty, although Croatia were also breathing a sigh of relief when Atsushi Yanagisawa missed when it seemed easier to score early in the second half.

The result left Japan rooted to the foot of Group F with one point and Croatia ahead only on goal difference in third place. It will hardly help the mood in either camp that both teams will be without key players for their third matches after Japan captain Tsuneyasu Miyamoto and Croatia's Robert Kovac collected their second yellow cards of the tournament.

The match:
5': Croatia fashioned the first shooting chance, working the ball forward from Dario Simic via Niko Kovac to Niko Kranjcar, who drilled the ball straight at Kawaguchi.

16': During a cagey opening period, Japan were seeing plenty of the ball albeit without opening up any spaces in the Croatian back line. Suddenly, an opening did arise as Akira Kaji broke down the right but he failed to pick out a blue shirt with his ball into the box.

19': Josip Simunic's header was blocked on the line by Kaji but referee Frank De Bleeckere had already whistled for an infringement.

22': Croatia spurned a golden opportunity to open the scoring as Kawaguchi dived low to his left to turn away Srna's spot-kick, awarded for Miyamoto's challenge on Dado Prso. The danger had not passed altogether as, from the ensuing corner, Kranjcar headed into the side-netting.

28': Croatia went close again as Kranjcar span away from Takashi Fukunishi and struck a fierce shot that slapped against Kawaguchi's crossbar.

30': The tempo was picking up now. Mitsuo Ogasawara warmed the hands of Stipe Pletikosa in the Croatia goal and moments later, at the other end, Ivan Klasnic fired a shot across Kawaguchi's goal from a tight angle.

33': Kawaguchi was almost caught out by a nasty bounce as from Kaji's back-pass, the ball bobbled up over his boot. Fortunately for Japan, the keeper was able to retrieve it at the second attempt.

36': Namakura worked the ball infield and Nakata's first-time strike drew a flying save from Pletikosa.

39': Without either side producing a spell of sustained pressure, a steady succession of shots was testing the two goalkeepers. This time Kawaguhi came to Japan's rescue again to tip away Klasnic's low drive.

No way through:
51': The second half started in a similar vein with opportunities missed at both ends. Kaji burst into the Croatian penalty box and slid the ball across goal to Yanagisawa but, with the goal at his mercy, he somehow shot wide of the gaping net.

54': Next it was Croatia's turn, Kranjcar stretching to meet a low cross but poking the ball the wrong side of the post.

63': The pace may have slowed in the afternoon sun but chances continued to come. Srna curled a free-kick into the box and Simunic headed wide of the far post. Three minutes later Marko Babic's run took him to the edge of the Japan area but his disappointing shot trickled well wide of goal.

75': With a stalemate looking increasingly likely, Japan substitute Junichi Inamoto – scorer of two fine goals at the 2002 finals - blazed a shot high over the crossbar.

78': Another Japan substitute, Keiji Tamada, burst into the penalty box but his cross-shot was turned to safety by the covering Simunic with Naohiro Takahara lurking just behind.

81': With a draw of no real use to either team, Croatia substitute Ivica Olic tried his luck from the left-hand side of the box but his shot went past the far post.

89': Japan threatened one last time but again, to no avail. Alessandro Santos broke through down the right but his cross was turned behind by Simunic. From the corner, Masashi Oguro just failed to get on the end of Yuji Nakazawa's header across goal

In conclusion:
This stalemate does neither side any favours but will be welcomed warmly in the Brazil and Australia camps.