Japan goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi had studied videotapes of Croatian penalty taker Darijo Srna's routine before saving the spot-kick which kept his team's slim hopes of qualifying for the second round of the World Cup alive.

But the former Portsmouth player claimed he could not remember where the Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder normally placed the ball as he ran up to attempt to give his side the lead in the 22nd minute.

"I watched a video tape but forgot which way he kicks them," said the 30-year-old. "I was actually going to go to the right for the penalty but changed my mind. I don't know why."

Kawaguchi's save - after Tsuneyasu Miyamoto had brought Dado Prso down in the penalty area - was the high point of another solid all-round performance from the Jubilo Iwata goalkeeper.

He had also played well to keep Australia at bay for much of Japan's opener against Guus Hiddink's team.

The Australians eventually won the game 3-1 thanks to three goals in the final 10 minutes and that result means the Japanese must win their final game against tournament favourites Brazil - while also hoping Australia do not defeat Croatia - to have any hope of progressing to the knockout phase.

"We have saved our necks with this result and we have got nothing to lose now," said Kawaguchi. "We will put every last ounce of strength into the next match."

Kawaguchi's name is synonymous in Japan with his performance in the 'Miracle in Miami', when the Japanese Olympic team defeated Brazil in the Atlanta Games football tournament in 1996.

That victory was achieved on the back of a goal from midfielder Teruyuki Ito and an outstanding showing from Kawaguchi between the posts against a team which featured Roberto Carlos, Ronaldo and Juninho.

The Japanese will be relying on Kawaguchi showing similar form against Brazil in Dortmund on Thursday and Croatian coach Zlatko Kranjcar was quick to praise the man who denied his team victory.

"Croatia were able to put on a good show and I think we were out of luck a little bit," he said.

"I think everything was fine. But the thing was our players did not score. It was a wonderful save by the goalkeeper."

Kranjcar's tactics saw him attempt to capitalise on the lack of height in the Japanese defence, but despite launching a series of aerial attacks the plan failed to pay dividends.

"We had a lot of corners," he said. "We had a number of opportunities and unfortunately we did not manage to score any goals.

"We were jumping higher than the Japanese players and we were better organised but if you are always attacking there is a risk on the break.

"Alessandro Santos had a wonderful opportunity but missed the goal. All of the players blocked the Japanese players and they didn't make anything possible for them."