Japan Survive Croatia Challenge But Chances of Progress Slim

Both teams now have one point, while their Group F rivals Brazil and Australia were playing in Munich later in the day.

Japan have the unenviable task of facing Brazil in their final group game in Dortmund on Thursday, when Croatia take on Australia in Stuttgart.

The Asian champions had goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi to thank for throwing them a lifeline as he brilliantly saved Darijo Srna's 21st minute penalty after Dado Prso had been tripped in the penalty area.

Although Srna's spot kick was hit hard and low, Kawaguchi leaped to his left to push it round the post.

Japan had more chances of the two sides but were continually let down by poor finishing.

Atsushi Yanagisawa wasted Japan's best opportunity, somehow slicing wide of an open goal from Akira Kaji's cross had left Croatian keeper Stipe Pletikosa stranded early in the second half.

Brazilian-born midfielder Alex proved a constant threat to the shaky Croatian defense, but failed to find the target.

Japan must do without their captain Tsuneyasu Miyamoto for the Brazil clash after he picked up his second yellow card of the competition when he caught Prso's heel to concede the penalty.

Chances for Croatia were few and far between.

One point each leaves World Cup hopes in tatters

Marko Babic should have done better with his shot after surging half the field in the second period only to blast wide, while Niko Kranjcar raced on to a defense-splitting pass but could not stretch far enough to get his shot on target.

The towering Josip Simunic's header went wide as Croatia grew increasingly desperate.

Robert Kovac also picked up his second yellow card of the tournament in the 31st minute but Shunsuke Nakamura's 30-meter free-kick rebounded off the wall.

In the 35th minute, Hidetoshi Nakata went close with a long-range shot but Stipe Pletikosa punched the ball to safely.