Japan wastes numerous chances, play to scoreless draw with Greece
When Greece's Kostas Katsouranis was sent off late in the first half, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that Japan would finally get the breakthrough goal they'd been in search of the entire first half.
Instead, they just kept burning through chances, and Greece somehow kept them at bay for a 0-0 tie.
The Japan chances were plentiful and, sometimes, easy. There were at least two -- maybe more, it was hard to keep count -- shots at an open net from inside the box. Several free kicks and crosses. Just nothing could make it to the back of the net.
Credit Greece, of course, who fought like hell with only 10 men for the majority of the game. They, too, had a couple chances wasted.
Now both sides must win to stay alive. Colombia is through in Group C, but Japan, Greece, and the Ivory Coast are alive. An Ivory Coast win over Greece would push them through, but everything else will likely come down to goal differential.
The result Thursday will not sit well with Japan. It's a game they should have won.