Japan: Kawaguchi, Kaji, Nakazawa, Miyamoto, Alex, Nakamura, Fukunishi (Inamoto 45), Nakata, Ogasawara, Takahawa (Oguro 85), Yanagisawa (Tamada 61).

Croatia: Pletikosa, Simic, R.Kovac, Simunic, Srna (Bosnjak 86), Krancjar (Modric 78), Tudor (Olic 69), N.Kovac, Prso, Klasnic.

Both sides obviously felt a win was vital here after losing their opening games and we were treated to a lively, open contest. The failings of both sides up front were all too evident, however, as the game ended in a stalemate. It was never boring though.

Japan started in neat and tidy fashion with Nakamura and Nakata prominent in midfield. It was the forceful Croats who looked to carry the greater threat, however.

Nakamura sent a free kick into a crowd scene in front of goal but the Croatian defence managed to smuggle it behind while at the other end Krancjar was given a decent sight of goal but sent his shot directly at Kawaguchi.

Beyond this the most entertaining thing about the opening quarter of an hour were Kawaguchi's punched clearances. He was obviously not going to risk catching the new FIFA ball.

Kaji, who would impress all afternoon with his determined overlapping runs down the right, got right to the goalline but saw Srna get back just in time to intercept his cut back.

Srna himself was providing Croatia with their most consistent attacking outlet and he was soon sending over a deep cross that just evaded Klasnic's lunge at the far post.

In Croatia's next attack Miyamoto misjudged the bounce of the ball badly and in turning to try and rectify the situation he barged right into Prso to concede an obvious penalty.

Srna hit a well struck shot low to Kawaguchi's left but it was not right inside the post and the keeper pulled off an excellent save to keep the scores level, much to his evident delight.

Srna went across to take the corner and his miss was almost forgotten as Krancjar sent in a strong header. The ball rippled the wrong side of the side netting from Croatia's point of view, however.

Soon afterwards Krancjar smashed in an explosive effort from outside the box that cannoned to safety off the face of the crossbar with Kawaguchi grasping air.

Japan remained neat in possession but lacked any kind of cutting edge and Ogasawara's shot from range was their first attempt in some time. The ball flew straight at Pletikosa who saved easily.

Krancjar was now pulling a few strings and found Klasnic in space down the side of the penalty area. He smacked the ball across the face of goal but it ended up as neither cross nor shot.

There was then a moment of blind panic for Kawaguchi as he nonchantly went to trap a back pass and saw the ball take an enormous jump off the turf. The ball hopped over his foot and rolled just wide of the far post.

Nakamura danced his way through to the edge of the box only to make another weak pass. The ball rolled out to Nakata backing up the attack and he sent a scorching drive goalwards. Pletikosa dived full length to pull off a fine save.

Japan almost contributed to their own downfall as firstly Miyamoto and then Kaji gave tha ball away in dangerous areas. The first situation was mopped up at the expense of a corner but Kawaguchi needed to make another fine save to prevent damage on the second.

As Croatia continued to press Prso headed too high from a corner and Klasnic sent a left footed volley over after a quick counter attack.

Croatia had certainly had the better of an entertaining half.

Half Time: Japan 0 Croatia 0

Japan brought on Inamoto for Fukunishi at the break and looked a more determined outfit from the start of the second half.

Kaji got forward to play a good one two with Takahawa before driving the ball across goal to Yanagisawa, standing alone in the middle of the goal five yards out. A simple side footed finish was all that was needed but Yanagisawa managed to stab an ugly shot with the outside of his right foot back across goal and wide of the open net.

It was a worse miss than the penalty.

Both Japanese full backs were now raiding forward consistently and Alex sent a dangerous ball in from the left. It looked as though Takahawa might get there before the keeper and when he couldn't he thought about knocking it in with his hand but thought better of it at the last moment.

Croatia were now the team playing mainly on the break but they remained dangerous. Klasnic produced a lovely ball low into the box for Krancjar but he could only poke it wide at full stretch.

Nakata then unleashed another thunderbolt but the effort again located Pletikosa's chest.

From Croatia's next corner two chances arrived but neither was taken. N.Kovac should have done better with a free header eight yards out than glance it on to the far post where Klasnic couldn't quite make up the ground with the goal gaping.

Japan's play was now generally excellent through midfield but their forwards were lightweight. They began to make changes in that department but this would do nothing to sharpen the dull cutting edge.

Dead ball situations continued to offer promise for Croatia and Simunic was presented with a clear heading chance by Srna but failed to hit the target.

Then Babic broke from inside his own half and beat two challenges to open up a great position for his team. With options either side of him, however, he then sent in a weak effort with his right foot from just outside the box that was never troubling Kawaguchi.

Slick Japanese passing and a slide rule pass from Nakamura sent Tamada away into the box but his ball across goal was careless and found only a retreating Croatian defender.

The players had almost run themselves to a standstill by now in search of the elusive opening goal and both managers threw on their full quota of subs in an effort to freshen up their sides.

With the game increasingly stretched both sides still found it impossible to make the breakthrough.

One of the subs, Olic, made a dash down the left and pulled back for another newcomer, Modric. His finish was weak and Kawaguchi saved without problem. Olic then led another raid which offered the Croatians a three against three situation. He opted to shoot but his effort was weak and a real waste of a good opportunity.

Alex forced his way to the byeline yet again but once more there appeared to be only defenders in the box and Simunic scrambled the ball behind.

When the corner came across Nakazawa produced a superb header back across goal and Oguro was blatantly pulled back as he tried to latch onto it. The referee, who had spent the afternoon penalising forwards for challenging for any set piece, chose to ignore this actual offence.

Croatia had one last chance as they broke with a three against two advantage but Olic failed to get the ball across despite having two chances to do so.

Therefore two exhausted sides had to settle for the result neither wanted. It had been a thoroughly entertaining goalless draw, however.

Full Time: Japan 0 Croatia 0

Japan: Kawaguchi 8, Kaji 8, Nakazawa 7, Miyamoto 5, Alex 7, Nakamura 7, Fukunishi 4 (Inamoto 5), Nakata 7, Ogasawara 6, Takahawa 6, Yanagisawa 3 (Tamada 4).

Croatia: Pletikosa 7, Simic 7, R.Kovac 8, Simunic 7, Srna 8, Krancjar 8 (Modric 6), Tudor 5 (Olic 5), N.Kovac 5, Prso 5, Klasnic 7.

Referee: F.De Bleeckere (Belgium) 1
This guy just annoyed me all afternoon. There was barely a foul in this game but he just could not stop blowing his whistle.
Every time people went up for a header he blew. Every time a corner or free kick came across he blew.
He is one of the refs who would have football become a non contact sport. He almost spoiled a good game for me.
Then, typically, when a Croatian defender gave away a penalty with a blatant tug from a corner he bottled out. Pathetic.

Good:
The game itself. Nil nils don't have to be boring and here was the proof. Both sides went for it and were completely spent at the end.
Kawaguchi had an inspired day and his penalty save was top drawer.

Bad:
The ref.

Ugly:
Robert Kovac. I've said before that he's not exactly ugly but he certainly turns ugly when you waft a yellow card in his face. Looked like he was about to rip the refs' head off and I for one would not have complained if he had done.
I hope Croatia get through this group just so I get to see this guy in action again.