19 Jun 2014

Japan and 10-man Greece played out a stalemate that keeps alive both teams' chances of progressing from Group C.

Greece captain Konstantinos Katsouranis was sent off for two bookable offences before the break in Natal.

The Greeks went close with a second-half header from Theofanis Gekas, which was saved by Eiji Kawashima.

Yoshito Okubo missed from just a couple of yards and Atsuto Uchida also prodded wide from a good position as Japan were left frustrated.

The draw leaves both teams on one point heading into the final round of group matches.

Greece managed a clean sheet for the first time in a World Cup match and managed to avoid defeat for just the second time in their eight matches. The only game they have scored in during that run was a 2-1 win over Nigeria four years ago.

Japan face Colombia, who have already qualified with six points, and a win could still take them above Ivory Coast, whose current tally is three points.

Fernando Santos's Greeks must defeat the Ivorians and hope that Japan's result gives them a chance to finish in second place.

Whatever the permutations, a second goalless draw of the tournament offered little to suggest that either of these sides can qualify for the last 16.

Although Panagiotis Kone threatened when he surged forward from halfway and forced a low save from Kawashima, Japan were in control of possession from the start.

Yuya Osako curled wide from 25 yards and Keisuke Honda's free-kick was thwarted by Orestis Kanezis' scrambling save before Yoshito Okubo headed over from Yuto Nagatomo's cross.

Shortly after recalled Fulham striker Konstantinos Mitroglu had limped off with an injury, Katsouranis was sent off for a lunge at Makoto Hasebe.

That seemed to spark Greece and defender Vaileios Torosidis' powerful effort was pushed away by Kawashima before the same player missed with a header from a Georgios Karagounis free-kick.

Georgios Samaras missed narrowly with an effort straight from the kick-off for the second-half.

Despite being a man down, the Greeks continued to have the better chances and Kawashima showed real quality to push a Gekas header around a post from a Georgios Karagounis corner.

Midway through the second half, Japan should have moved in front when Atsuto Uchida's fine cross was driven well wide by Okubo from just a couple of yards.

Uchida then stabbed wide after the Greeks failed to clear and Maya Yoshida almost diverted a driven cross on target.

Yashito Endo had a free-kick saved in the final minute and Santos' side were able to hold out for a draw but neither side looks likely to make it beyond the group stage.

Greece coach Fernando Santos:

"My players were brilliant, They worked hard after the red card. Without the red card we probably would have won the game."

Greece defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos:

"It was a terrible start, losing a man but we have a point and we have hope.

"If things go well, let us get four points with a win in the next game - and if God decides that we are eliminated because of the other result, so be it."

Japan manager Alberto Zaccheroni:

"We played too slowly. This is not a positive result. We absolutely needed to win."

Katsouranis has been sent off in three of his last 16 appearances for club and country

Fulham striker Konstantinos Mitroglou limped off after 34 minutes.

Greece have failed to score in seven of their eight World Cup matches

Both teams could still reach the knock-out phase

Live Text Commentary

Full time

Full Time Match ends, Japan 0, Greece 0.

90:00 +4:13 Full time

Full Time Second Half ends, Japan 0, Greece 0.

90:00 +3:00

Foul by Maya Yoshida (Japan).

90:00 +3:00

Sokratis (Greece) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

90:00 +0:58

Foul by Yasuyuki Konno (Japan).

90:00 +0:58

Dimitrios Salpingidis (Greece) wins a free kick on the right wing.

89:20

Foul by Maya Yoshida (Japan).

89:20

Orestis Karnezis (Greece) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

89:04

Attempt saved. Yasuhito Endo (Japan) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner.

87:59 Booking

Booking Vasilis Torosidis (Greece) is shown the yellow card for hand ball.

87:52

Hand ball by Vasilis Torosidis (Greece).

87:34

Attempt saved. José Holebas (Greece) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Georgios Samaras.

87:08

Foul by Yasuyuki Konno (Japan).

87:08

Georgios Samaras (Greece) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

85:18

Foul by Maya Yoshida (Japan).

85:18

Georgios Samaras (Greece) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

84:33

Attempt missed. Maya Yoshida (Japan) header from very close range is too high. Assisted by Yuto Nagatomo following a corner.

84:32

Attempt missed. Yuto Nagatomo (Japan) right footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right following a corner.

84:11

Corner, Japan. Conceded by José Holebas.

80:32

Attempt missed. Georgios Samaras (Greece) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Giorgos Karagounis with a cross following a corner.

Greece managed a clean sheet for the first time in a World Cup match and managed to avoid defeat for just the second time in their eight matches. The only game they have scored in during that run was a 2-1 win over Nigeria four years ago.