Greece and Japan both lost their opening games, but with Colombia defeating the Ivory Coast, both have a chance to redeem themselves with a victory here. A draw could be mutually-destructive of course, but both sides will be desperate for a win here. Even with Greece's reputation, this could be a good one.

And that is that. Japan were mostly poor and didn't really deserve a win here - Greece really put in a shift after going down to ten men and could have even won it themselves. Colombia have now qualified, so Japan may be facing a less motivated and possibly rotated team in their game, but Greece won't care - on thirty-eight minutes, they looked doomed. Now, they are very much alive. Thanks for reading.

The ball appears to fall loose in the area for Honda, but Greece simply throw bodies in the way and hoof it clear. It looks like Japan will only be coming away with one point.

Endo hammers one in now, but it's saved by the keeper who tips it away. Things are getting desperate now, but Japan can have no excuses if they can't find a way through here.

Holebas gets into a decent position for a cross, but decides to just leather it from a tight angle at Kawashima. It's strong and true, but the Japan keeper is behind it and keeps it out without too much concern.

This is one-way traffic now, but the Greek defence remains firm. Japan need something special or a mistake here - they have been sorely lacking quality up front.

Kagawa plays a nice ball which Honda dummies for Uchida, but his centre can't find anyone and is easily cleared.

Greece have withdrawn to their own area. Japan are detaching the kitchen sink in preparation.

Japan have a free-kick, but Kone is fouled and it passes without incident. A peculiar lack of urgency from the Blue Samurai here - they're running out of time now. This would be a huge missed opportunity were they to fail to win.

And another huge chance for Japan! Papastathopoulos gets in a bit of a muddle under pressure from Endo, and Uchida pounces in the area as he takes a heavy touch but prods it wide. Japan will have to show the fabled 'character' if they are to win this, one suspects.

How did Japan not score? Kagawa produces Japan's best moment of the match - the pass is obvious, everybody watching on TV and in the stadium must be screaming for it, but it's even more exquisite than you could imagine, finding Uchida's run perfectly. And the right-back's reply is just as good, cushioning it brilliantly across goal for Okubo at the back post, but he's having to sprint to get on the end of it, and in his haste, puts it over the bar. Huge moment.

Japan break and Nagotomo escapes down the left with plenty to aim at, but his cross is rubbish - far too hard and even though it finds a Japan player in Honda, he can't control it before the Greek defence is upon him like a pack of wolves.

Greece seem to attract criticism for the way they play, but they deserve credit for not withdrawing to sheer defence after going a man down. This is a really awful performance from Japan, however. They are not putting Greece under any meaningful pressure at all.

Goodness me. Since the red card, paradoxically it's Greece who have had all the better chances. Theofanis Gekas gets up excellently to nod towards the bottom corner from a corner, but Kawashima gets across to shove it away.

As you look towards the TV from your sofa, watching this dour 0-0 and contemplating your life, you may well wonder what time it is. Well, I'll tell you - it's Shinji time. It's Kagawa O'Clock. The Manchester United playmaker is on. Osako makes way.

Honda darts towards the area with menace on his mind, but Karagounis does well to anticipate it and does just enough to put him off his shot, which is tame and easily kept out.

Endo delivers a decent ball to the back post, but it's just too far ahead for anyone to get on the end of. Still deadlocked.

Japan have a free-kick in a dangerous area. Probably just too far away for anyone to consider the shot, but a chance to get the ball into the box at least.

Endo makes his first contribution, attempting to feed Okazaki into space, but Sokratis Papastathopoulos is across to snuff out the danger.

And we are underway. Japan make a change, surprisingly withdrawing their captain, Hasebe, for Endo.

The teams are back out. Will Greece go super-defensive? If they get a draw here and beat the Ivory Coast then it's probably likely that they'll qualify.