Croatia and Japan all square in Nuremburg

Group F hopefuls Croatia and Japan are still without a win in World Cup 2006 after playing out a 0-0 draw in Nuremburg overnight.

Japanese keeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi was the hero for Japan saving a 22minute penalty from Darijo Srna after Dado Prso was adjudged to have been brought down in the box by Japanese captain Tsuneyasu Miyamoto who received a yellow card for the challenge and will miss the next match against Brazil.

Kawaguchi dived low to his right to save the Srna penalty, and despite dominating periods of the first half including a vicious shot by Croatian starlet Niko Kranjcar the Balkan side were unable to find an opening.

Hidetoshi Nakata was proving as menace at long range for the Croats, with several strikes stinging the palms of keeper Stipe Pletikosa. Croatia for all its dominance was unable to finish with Klasnic in particular wasteful before the end of half time.

Despite both sides pressing in the second half, chances were few and far between, and the result leaves both sides in danger of missing out on the round of 16, despite fellow Group F side Brazil defeating Australia in Munich 2-0.

Both sides go into their final group games without two key players, key defender Robert Kovac who was yellow carded in the first half will miss the game after also picking up a card in their opening Group F clash against Brazil. Japanese captain Tsuneyasu Miyamoto will miss the final game against Brazil after picking up his second yellow of the tournament.

Both remaining Group F games take place on the 23rd of June (AEST), with Croatia taking on Australia in Stuttgart, whilst Japan will take on Brazil in Dortmund. Should neither side win, it will be an early and some may say unexpected exit from World Cup 2006.

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