Japan – Brazil

1. Hi there, friends; welcome to our coverage of Japan's final Group F game - against the mighty Brazil.

2. HERE WE GO! Japan kick us off in Dortmund.

3. 1'

   Japan have to beat Brazil and hope Croatia defeat Australia in the other Group F match to keep alive their hopes of reaching the knock-out stages.

4. 2'

   Kaka shows some nice touches down the right before sending over a low cross which Kaji clears.

5. 3'

   There are plenty fans of both nations in the stands tonight; it would be about a 50-50 split, if my math is up to scratch.

6. 4'

   There's been a goal in the group's other game - Croatia have taken the lead against Australia.

7. 5'

   Croatia's early goal should give Japan heart - now, all that stands between them and the second round is five-times champions Brazil... Easy.

8. 6'

   Brazil have looked functional, but little more so far this tournament - is tonight the night they finally explode? Stay here, readers; you might just find out...

9. 7'

   It has been a quiet start in Dortmund; Brazil have had a lot of the ball and look, as always, very comfortable in possession, but they haven't managed to fashion anything as yet.

10. 8'

    UNLUCKY, FATTY! Ronaldo benefits from a nice pass from Ronaldinho; he does a couple of stepovers to earn himself some space before driving a shot goalwards; Kawaguchi saves at his near post.

11. 9'

    Nakata seems to be playing in quite a deep position, attempting to direct operations from just in front of his back-four.

12. 10'

    HIT THAT! Kaka cuts inside from the left wing, but his right-foot shot from 25 yards flies a few yards over the crossbar.

13. 11'

    The Japanese fans seem to be enjoying themselves enormously; they are singing along, waving novelty toys, and generally having a wonderful time.

14. 12'

    GOOD EFFORT, YOUNGSTER! Robinho skips past a challenge before firing in a left-foot drive which Kawaguchi turns around the post for a corner.

15. 13'

    Robinho is certainly a perky little player; he is scampering around in the final third like a playful little puppy.

16. 14'

    Juninho is fouled by Nakata as the Lyon midfielder skipped past him, 40 yards from goal. Too far to shoot, surely...

17. 15'

    RUBBISH! Juninho takes the shot on - and fires a rocket 30 yards over the crossbar.

18. 15'

    SHOULD HAVE DONE BETTER! The ball is worked to Inamoto 30 yards out, but the former West Brom player blasts his shot high.

19. 16'

    JOGA BONITO! Robinho and Kaka combine wonderfully; Robinho's shimmy earns himself a yard of space, but Kawaguchi tuns his shot over for a corner.

20. 17'

    There are some early signs that Brazil are going to put on a real show here; they are absolutely tearing Japan apart.

21. 18'

    RUBBISH! Kaji finds himself yards of space down the right; he has time to measure his cross, but with three to aim for, he over-hits it.

22. 19'

    Japan have occasionally found pockets of room around the Brazilian penalty area; there are signs that they could create a chance or two.

23. 19'

    Ogasawara spots the run of Tamada in to the penalty area, but his cross is too high and Dida collects.

24. 20'

    NICE SAVE! Ronaldo holds off a couple of challenges in the penalty area before digging out a shot; Kawaguchi turns his effort around the post.

25. 21'

    Kawaguchi has already made a couple of wonderful saves; he looks like he is going to have his work cut out tonight.

26. 22'

    Cicinho and Ronaldinho combine brilliantly down the right wing, but the full-back's cross is over the head of the waiting Ronaldo.

27. 23'

    SWEET VALLEY HIGH! Ronaldo holds the ball up before laying off to Juninho; the Lyon man smashes in a stunning shot, but somehow Kawaguchi tips it over the crossbar.

28. 24'

    GOOD DEFENDING! Nakazawa does well to hold off Robinho as the little pup skips past a couple of men and in to the penalty area.

29. 25'

    NERVY MOMENT! Kaji gets to the by-line and sends a cross to the near post; Gilberto Silva sticks out a leg and intercepts, the ball dribbling agonisingly wide of the post and out for a corner.

30. 26'

    Gilberto Silva id working hard in a defensive midfield position for Brazil; he is doing much of the 'ugly' work that allows the more showy players to play around him.

31. 27'

    CRUCIAL HEADER! Ronaldo manages to hoist his hefty frame off the ground as he eyes Cicinho's cross, but Tsuboi gets a crucial touch to flick the ball away from him.

32. 28'

    Brazil win another corner when Kaka's cross is deflected behind.

33. 29'

    This has been a much better performance so far from Brazil; there has been a lot more energy - especially from Ronaldo, who looks a lot sharper than in previous matches.

34. 30'

    Ronaldinho's ambitious one-two with Kaka almost comes off, though Nakazawa intercepts.

35. 31'

    Japan are doing okay, considering all the pressure they have been put under; they are working hard in defence, and occasionally threatening on the break.

36. 32'

    GOOD TURN! Kaka feeds Ronaldo in the area; he spins his man beautifully, but then scuffs his left-foot shot.

37. 33'

    GOAL! JAPAN! THE NEW BRAZIL! Alex finds Tamada in the area; he turns and fires in a stunning shot in to the top corner.

38. 34'

    What a goal that was; a cracking finish by the striker! Brazil have been stunned here.

39. 35'

    What an upset we could have on here; one of the biggest in recent World Cups, for sure.

40. 36'

    How will the gerat Brazil respond? I don't know; stay here, and we'll find out together.

41. 37'

    IN TWO MINDS! Cicinho sends a cross-shot over the crossbar after finding space in the right of the penalty area.

42. 38'

    Australia have equalised in the group's other game - this is getting complicated.

43. 39'

    As it stands, Japan would need another goal and hope Croatia and Australia draw - I think that would mean Japan go through.

44. 40'

    Kaji is booked for a challenge that leaves Robinho writhing around on the grass like a little girl.

45. 41'

    GREAT TACKLE, SON! Inamoto slides in and nicks the ball off the boot of Ronaldo, who had bulldozed his way through a couple of challenges on the edge of the box.

46. 41'

    RUBBISH FINISH! Ronaldinho breaks through the middle; Kaka is free to his right, Ronaldo to his left, but the Barcelona man opts to shoot - and does so, straight at Kawaguchi.

47. 42'

    If Japan can get in at half-time in the lead, that would be a real shock. If they can get to full-time with the lead - well, I'll eat my hat.

48. 43'

    The Japanese fans are loving this; they are screaming on their heroes at every opportunity.

49. 44'

    Left-back Gilberto is booked for a body-check on Kaji as the Japanese player tried to go around him on the right.

50. 45'

    RONALDO! GOAL! Ronaldo gets the equaliser, his 13th goal in World Cup finals football, a header from four yards out.

51. 46'

    FULL-TIME: Brazil look a little relieved to be going in level; there is a hint of a smile on the face of Ronaldo as he takes the monkey off his back and heads down the tunnel.

52. 46'

    No changes at half-time, and Brazil kick off the second half.

53. 47'

    It has started raining in Dortmund; that will quicken up the pitch and help Brazil's passing.

54. 48'

    Brazil have a long spell with the ball, but Japan have got a lot of players back and Brazil can't create anything.

55. 49'

    Inamoto's clumsy challenge leaves Robinho on the floor. Free-kick to Brazil...

56. 50'

    ...Juninho takes it again, but his cross is too close to the goalkeeper.

57. 51'

    With Australia currently drawing with Croatia, it looks unlikely that Japan will progress from the group stage - however, a draw with Brazil will be quite some feather in their cap.

58. 52'

    SO, SO CLOSE! A brilliant passing move ends with Ronaldinho setting up Ronaldo, but the chunky striker side-foots wide from 12 yards out.

59. 53'

    Japan have finally managed to get hold of the ball in the second half, though Tamada is caught off-side.

60. 54'

    GOAL! Juninho slams a fierce shot past Kawaguchi from 30 yards; the ball moved wickedly in the air, but the keeper should certainly have done better.

61. 55'

    Kawaguchi has dropped a clanger there; it was a well-hit shot, but the little keeper should definitely have turned that around the post.

62. 56'

    RONALDO! Gilberto's cross from the left is met by Ronaldo, but Kawaguchi saves on his goal-line.

63. 57'

    JAPAN SUB: Koji Nakata comes on, to replace Ogasawara.

64. 58'

    News from the other game in the group - Croatia have re-taken the lead against Australia.

65. 59'

    Japan are having a bit more of the ball now as Brazil sit back and allow them to play in front of them.

66. 60'

    GOAL! Gilberto runs on to Ronaldinho's pass down the left channel, cuts inside and drills a low shot inside the far post.

67. 61'

    That was Gilberto's first international goal, an excellent finish from the left-back.

68. 62'

    JAPAN SUB: Maki off, Takahara on; a striker for a striker.

69. 63'

    As it stands, Croatia and Brazil will progress from Group F - if scores stay as they are.

70. 64'

    Takahara is down on the turf, writhing around, holding his knee - he looks in quite a lot of pain.

71. 65'

    Takahara has been taken from the field on a stretcher; he is receiving treatment on what seemed to be a twisted knee.

72. 66'

    GOOD SAVE! Kawaguchi is doing his best to make up for his error on the Juninho goal as he turns a fierce Robinho shot around the post for a corner.

73. 67'

    Takahara is back on the pitch, and moving freely enough.

74. 67'

    Japan have played some smart football on the occasions they have got in to the Brazilian half.

75. 67'

    JAPAN SUB: Takahara can't continue, and is replaced by Oguro.

76. 68'

    Gilberto Silva's back-heel almost finds the run of Kaka as Brazil start to play some ole-football.

77. 69'

    BRILLIANT! Robinho ghosts past two or three defenders before trying to find Ronaldo, six yards out, with a low cross; the chunky striker doesn't read it though, and the ball runs harmlessly out of play.

78. 71'

    BRAZIL SUBS: Ze Roberto and Ricardinho come on to replace Kaka and Ronaldinho.

79. 72'

    Brazil opt to rest two of their brightest stars in Ronaldinho and Kaka for the final twenty minutes or so; those two will have tougher assignments than this later in the tournament.

80. 74'

    Japan have worked very hard tonight, chasing down the ball when Brazil have knocked it around; they must be getting tired now.

81. 75'

    The tempo of the game has really slowed now; Brazil are knocking the ball around without any great ambition.

82. 76'

    Robinho is brought down by Alex; this time Juninho takes the free-kick short, rather than opting to shoot.

83. 77'

    Japan are starting to look tired now; they have expended a lot of energy chasing the ball in this second half.

84. 79'

    Ronaldo has got his goal, which will ease the pressure on him, but it has been another lacklustre performance.

85. 80'

    News from the other game in the group - Australia have equalised against Croatia; that means they will progress with Brazil, if things stay as they are.

86. 81'

    Japan have been completely out-played, but they have stuck at their task well tonight.

87. 82'

    It was always going to be tough for Japan to qualify from this group, but they have given it a good shot and will exit the tournament with pride.

88. 82'

    GOAL! Ronaldo gets his second of the night - and his 14th in World Cup final history, equalling Gerd Muller at the top of the all-time tournament scoring charts - with a beautiful 25-yard curler.

89. 83'

    BRAZIL SUB: Dida has been replaced by Rogerio; Brazil give a run-out to their reserve goalkeeper for the remainding 10 minutes or so.

90. 83'

    The Japan fans have cheered their side all the way; despite their early exit, they will be proud of their team's efforts in this tournament.

91. 85'

    Brazil have improved on their performances in the first two games; they have moved in to third gear tonight, which will begin to worry a few of the other nations.

92. 86'

    Japan win a free-kick as Gilberto fouls, 30 yards out.

93. 86'

    ...Nakamura stands over the set-piece as the defensive wall moves in to place...

94. 86'

    ...But Nakamura bends his shot just wide of the upright, with Rogerio scrambling across his goal to cover.

95. 87'

    Australia have equalised in Stuttgart; the Aussies will clinch second place if the score remains 2-2 there.

96. 88'

    Ogoru is put through the middle; he is one-on-one with Rogerio, but stopped in his tracks by a late off-side flag.

97. 89'

    Japan have actually finished the game quite well; they have had a lot of the ball in the last ten minutes, and put the Brazilian defence under a little pressure.

98. 90'

    FULL-TIME: Brazil move up a gear and out-play a hard-working Japan; the five-times champs aren't all there yet, but they are certainly improving with every game.

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