Japan and Croatia have drawn 0-0 in their World Cup Group F encounter in Nüremburg on Sunday. Japanese goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi was on top-form saving a penalty, and denying Croatia on a few occasions in open play.

Both teams were looking for a win after both had lost their opening matches, but Croatia were the stronger team throughout, with far more chances to score.

Celtic’s Shunsuke Nakamura was excellent for Japan, running around the whole pitch, but he seemed to be the most attacking player for the Japanese and wasn't getting the back-up from his team-mates.

Ivan Klasnic had a chance in the 19th minute, but couldn’t connect on the ball, but it was definitely the Europeans who had the better chances in the first period.

A very contentious penalty was awarded to Croatia in the 22nd minute, when Dado Prso received the slightest of contacts in the box, but Darijo Srna’s spot-kick was saved excellently by Kawaguchi, who managed to leap way to his right and save.

Nico Kranjcar, the son of the Croatia head coach Zlatko, had a shot crash off the crossbar in the 29th minute, which would have had Kawaguchi beaten, but bounced away to safety.

Ivan Klasnic had an effort turned away by Kawaguchi just minutes before the end of the half, with Prso heading over the bar.

Croatia were definitely the more aggressive team going into half-time, with Japan wondering where they will be able to find a goal from.

The second-half saw the Japanese have the best chance of the match so far, with Akira Kaji’s low cross being struck by Atsushi Yanagisawa, but somehow in front of a gaping goalmouth, he shot wide.

Croatia were still dominating the match, with Nico Kranjcar dispelling any further talk of nepotism with his excellent performance throughout the match, with Dado Prso also having some decent chances to open the scoring.

Nakamura ha a free-kick go high in the 60th, but Croatia were the stronger team and were forging far more attempts on goal, but couldn’t find the finish.

Marko Babic made a great run from his own-half, through the Japanese defence and on to goal in what would have been an exceptional solo-goal, but he scuffed his shot well wide.

Japan started to come into the game in the final quarter of the match and both sides, despite the heat in Dortmünd, were really pushing for an opener but failing with their final shots.

Nico Kranjcar was subbed for Luka Modric in the 78th minute, and had a stike at goal within two minutes of his appearance, but hardly tested Kawaguchi.

Croatia were really pushing in the last 10 minutes, but still couldn’t find the target with a telling shot and the high tempo that the first 80 minutes had been played slowed considerably.

Japan's head coach Zico swapped the strikers Naohiro Takahara for Masashi Oguro, with Croatia swapping the excellent Darijo Srna, who covered every blade of grass on the pitch, for Ivan Bosnjak with five minutes to go.

Japan’s Alex hit a great ball across the Croatian face of goal in the dying minutes, but there was no-one to tap the ball in and the ball was cleared to safety.

Even though both sides had late half-chances, neither side could find a way through, and the game finished 0-0 with both teams having to settle for a point.

Croatia will probably be the favourites to take second place in Group F now, having already played Brazil, and with Japan still having to face the world champions in the last game in the group.

Australia are still very much in the running for a place in the last sixteen, and face Brazil later on Sunday in Munich, and if the Socceroos get a result, they would have confimed themselves a place in the last sixteen for the first time ever.