Japan 0-0 Greece : Deadlock fails to be broken
Strikers such as Luis Suarez really do make the difference, just ask toothless Group C rivals Japan and Greece.
Like Uruguay and England earlier in the evening, they entered into the second match of the finals having suffered defeat in their opener.
Unlike Uruguay, however, neither side boasted a Suarez, or any player capable of locating the back of the net for that matter.
Yes, smart goalkeeping made sure of the stalemate and kept alive slim hopes of progression for both nations, but a lack of imagination in the final third is what should seal likely first-round exits; this most captivating of tournaments will not mourn their departure.
Japan’s guilt should be amplified by the fact they were facing 10 men for more than 50 minutes – Kostas Katsouranis dismissed following two needless bookings – but it would not be in keeping with the spirit of these finals to celebrate the subsequent resistance of the Greeks.
It was Greece who were first to threaten after a cagey start when Panagiotis Kone took charge of possession on halfway before darting forward and testing Eiji Kawashima from 25 yards, the goalkeeper forced to gather at the second attempt.
At the other end it wasn’t until the 19th minute that Orestis Karnezis was called into action as he flopped low to repel Yuya Osako’s measured steer from just outside the area.
The Munich 1860 frontman was encouraged by his range-finder and went close soon after when he wriggled free of two Greek defenders before whipping inches wide from 20 yards out.
It was Japan bossing matters and Keisuke Honda drew a save – albeit a clumsy one – from Karnezis as he scampered to palm clear the Milan midfielder’s curling free-kick.
Kostas Mitroglou – who managed just one start for relegated Fulham following an £11million move from Olympiakos in January – was replaced after 35 minutes, a stray arm into his midriff enough to force his retirement.
The injured Mitroglou soon had company in the Greek dressing-room, captain Katsouranis collecting his second yellow card following a careless slide and trip on opposing skipper Makoto Hasebe.
Perhaps motivated by a perceived injustice – the red card was, in fact, fair – Greece rallied and full-back Vassilis Torosidis stung the palms of Kawashima having forged an unlikely passage into the area.
Celtic’s Giorgos Samaras captured the lack of confidence his depleted side had in fashioning any chances when attempting a speculative lob from the kick-off at the start of the second half, his effort ultimately sailing wide.
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