Japan keep Brazil at bay

Leandro: Guilty of squandering a golden opportunity

Japan 0-0 Brazil

Japan successfully managed to avoid facing world champions France in the semi-finals by earning a hard-fought draw against Brazil.

Their goalless scoreline owed as much to the erratic brilliance of debut keeper Ryota Tsuzuki - who made two breath-taking saves - as to Brazil's woeful finishing.

Emerson Leao must be wondering how Washington and Leandro failed to find the net after countless Brazil attacks.

It will be back to the drawing board for Brazil ahead of their semi-final tie against Roger Lemerre's side on Thursday.

While Japan coach Philippe Troussier can derive yet more satisfaction from the way he has transformed his side into a force to be reckoned with.

The co-hosts made a bright start in front of their own fans.

With expectations growing in Japan ahead of World Cup 2002, debutant Tsuzuki was keen to impress.

  Key moments

27 mins: Washington heads in but goal ruled out for offside

31 mins: Ramon's acrobatic bicycle kick is tipped over by Ryota Tsuzuki

44 mins: Leandro's goalbound effort superbly saved by Tsuzuki

79 mins: Leandro misses sitter from six yards out

But he made a couple of rash decisions early which could have cost his team dear had Brazil been able to capitalise.

Troussier's side showed just how much they have progressed with some intricate link-up play and accurate passing.

Brazil meanwhile, who are missing some of their biggest stars, still made some uncharacteristic mistakes in the early stages.

Carlos Miguel will not want to see his fresh air kick in the Japan area replayed too often.

Nor will Washington want to be reminded of the opportunities he missed to give Brazil an early lead.

Ze Maria put one of many excellent crosses into the Japanese area.

But Washington's shot on goal was superbly saved by Tsuzuki, and the Japan defence cleared the rebound out of harm's way.

High-risk strategy

Brazil possessed the greater attacking threat, yet Japan managed to thwart the world's second best team and were happy to play on the break.

Japan's decision to hold a high line in defence was risky, but with Brazil's poor finishing in the first half Troussier's side went unpunished.

Ze Maria and Washington were involved in one of Brazil's better moves on 25 minutes, but the latter again failed to apply the finish.

The tall striker did find the back of the net minutes later only to have his headed goal ruled out for offside.

Hidetoshi Nakata, at the centre of a club versus country row, seemed unaffected by the dispute and was busy in midfield for Japan.

The Brazil defence were alert to the threat posed by the AS Roma star and quickly closed him down whenever near the area.

Another of Japan's emerging stars, Shinji Ono, produced another tenacious display alongside Nakata and, like his team-mate, will no doubt be a target for Europe's top clubs.

Brazil's disappointing form in front of goal was highlighted by the number of long-range shots - Leandro shooting from 20 to 30 yards out.

  Final Group B standings

1 Japan P 3 Pts 7 GD +5

2 Brazil P 3 Pts 5 +2

3 Cameroon P 3 Pts 3 -2

4 Canada P 3 Pts 1 -5

The South Americans did come close to opening the scoring just before half time.

But Ramon's acrobatic bicycle kick was again brilliantly saved by Tsuzuki, who tipped the shot over.

And another fine save by the Japan keeper - who had to readjust his footing at the last minute - kept out Leandro's goal-bound chest down.

Brazil were not the only ones guilty of some poor finishing and Japan's attack - spearheaded by Takayuki Suzuki - will need some fine tuning ahead of their semi-final against Australia.

Japan, sensing they could clinch a draw, packed their midfield to contain any Brazil attacks - and it worked.

They were let off late on when Leandro missed a sitter from six yards out.

But the finish typified Brazil's play, which offered much but delivered little.

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Japan: Tsuzuki, Uemura, Matsuda, Hattori, Hidetoshi Nakata, Yamashita, Ito, Myojin, Hato, Ono, Suzuki. Subs: Kawaguchi, Morioka, Inamoto, Morishima, Nishizawa, Miura, Nakayama, Narazaki, Fujita, Koji Nakata, Toda, Kubo.

Brazil: Dida, Ze Maria, Lucio, Edmilson, Leomar, Leandro, Miguel, Leo, Fabio, Ramon, Washington. Subs: Nery, Vampeta, Anderson, Robert, Germano, Evanilson, Cesar, Cacapa, Vagner, Batista, Magno Alves, Costa.

Referee: K Nielsen (Denmark)