Croatia were left to rue a missed penalty as they were held to a disappointing goalless draw against Group F rivals Japan in Nuremberg.

Zico's side would have been the happier of the two sides with the result after Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi saved a 22nd-minute penalty from Darijo Srna and Niko Kranjcar saw his shot rebound against the woodwork.

Croatia were awarded the spot kick after Dado Prso turned onto a ball that bounced over Tsuneyasu Miyamoto's head and the Gamba Osaka defender hauled down the Rangers striker, leaving referee Frank De Bleeckere no option but to award the penalty.

But former Portsmouth keeper Kawaguchi guessed correctly and pulled off a fine save low to his left.

Kranjcar then saw a header bulge into the sidenetting from the following corner, while the same player saw a 25-yard strike cannon off the bar as Croatia looked the break the deadlock.

Japan offered little threat in the opening period other than a long-distance efforts from Hidetoshi Nakata and Alessandro Santos.

Japan made a bright start to the second period and should have taken the lead through Atsushi Yanagisawa, but he fired well wide of goal after great approach play from Akira Kaji down the right.

Croatia then tried their luck with a header just off target from Josip Simunic, while Nakata warmed the hands of Stipe Pletikosa with a stinging drive.

Croatia had further chances through substitute Ivica Olic and Ivan Klasnic and although Japan finished the stronger, the result does little for either side's hopes of progressing through to the last 16.