’Keeper’s heroics keep Japan in hunt

YOSHIKATSU KAWAGUCHI put in an inspired performance between the posts for Japan as the Asian champions kept their slim World Cup hopes alive yesterday.

A top class display, in the opening 45 minutes, from the former Portsmouth goalkeeper — which included a penalty save from Darijo Srna — denied the Croatians, and means both teams have to win their final game to have any chance of progressing to the knockout phase.

While the Croatians face Guus Hiddink’s Australia in the last day of Group F action, the task will be significantly tougher for Japan as they take on defending champions and tournament favourites Brazil, as Japan look to qualify for the last 16 for the second World Cup in a row.