Greece Holds Japan To 0-0 Draw Despite Playing Most Of The Game With Just 10 Men

Even playing with an extra man for much of the match, Japan could not break down the resolute Greece defense in a 0-0 draw at Estadio das Dunas in Natal on Thursday.

Greece found itself a man down in the 38th minute when midfielder Kostas Katsouranis picked up his second yellow card of the match. Playing with just 10 men, Greece managed to hold off Keisuke Honda and the Japan attack for the remainder of the game. Japan enjoyed an overwhelming advantage in possession and doubled the number of Greece shots but could not break through.

The tie kept alive both teams' hopes of advancing out of the group stage. The result also guaranteed that Colombia will advance out of Group C into the knockout stage.

Greece will face Ivory Coast in its Group C finale on June 24 while Japan faces Colombia. Both teams will need a win as well as some help from the other pairing in order to prolong their stays at the 2014 World Cup.