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Kawaguchi spot save denies Croatia

Kawaguchi kept Japan's slim hopes alive with his penalty save.

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• Special: World Cup 2006

NUREMBERG, Germany -- Japan keeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi denied Croatia with a superb penalty save in a 0-0 draw that leaves both sides with a chance of World Cup survival.

Darijo Srna's 22nd-minute penalty failure proved costly for Croatia, who largely controlled a Group F showdown both teams were desperate to win after opening defeats.

Kawaguchi plunged low to his left to turn away Srna's firmly struck kick awarded when captain Tsuneyasu Miyamoto made a clumsy trip on striker Dado Prso.

Croatia, beaten 1-0 by Brazil in their opener last week, take on Australia in a must-win game on Thursday.

Japan face the daunting task of having to beat world champions Brazil in their final group game after their 3-1 defeat by Australia.

Striker Atsushi Yanagisawa missed Japan's best chance six minutes into the second half after superbly being fed by Akira Kaji with goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa out of position but fluffing in front of an open goal.

Croatia came straight back with Niko Kranjcar firing just wide but they failed to capitalise on their territorial advantage in a scrappy second half.

The Croats, who beat Japan 1-0 on their way to the semifinals of the 1998 World Cup, had the better of the first half with Kranjcar stinging the hands of Kawaguchi early on.

Kranjcar later headed into the side-netting and then lashed a right-foot shot against the bar in the 28th minute, compounding Croatia's frustration.

Kawaguchi was forced into another sprawling save from Ivan Klasnic five minutes before the break as Croatia pushed for the opening goal.

Group leaders Australia play world champions Brazil later on Sunday.

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