Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi put in an inspired performance between the posts for Japan as the Asian champions kept their slim World Cup hopes alive with a 0-0 draw with Croatia in Nuremberg on Sunday.

Japan coach Zico continues to sweat over the fitness of right wing-back Akira Kaji as the clock ticks down to his side’s World Cup opener against Australia.

JAPAN winger Akira Kaji is facing a race to be fit for their World Cup opener against Australia on June 12.

Japan 2 Brazil 2

WORLD champions Brazil easily saw off the challenge of European champions Greece 3-0 in group B of the Confederations Cup last night.

JAPAN booked their place at a third consecutive World Cup finals as goals from Atsushi Yanagisawa and Masashi Oguro gave the Asian champions a 2-0 win over North Korea in Group B of Asia’s World Cup qualifying tournament in Bangkok.

Japan became the first country to book their place at next year’s World Cup finals, other than hosts Germany, with a 2-0 win over North Korea today.

Japan set up a World Cup second-round tie with Turkey thanks to a 2-0 win over Tunisia.

Japan set up a World Cup second-round tie with Turkey thanks to a 2-0 win over Tunisia.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger watched Junichi Inamoto spark a World Cup frenzy after Japan’s 1-0 victory over Russia.

Belgium were given a real fright by World Cup co-hosts Japan before fighting back to earn a 2-2 draw in their Group H opener at Saitama Stadium.

Belgium were given a real fright by World Cup co-hosts Japan before fighting back to earn a 2-2 draw in their Group H opener at Saitama Stadium.