NUREMBERG, June 18 (Xinhua) -- Croatia missed a penalty and a slew of chances to draw 0-0 with Japan in their second World Cup Group F tie here on Sunday.

    The penalty was awarded in the 20th minute when Croatia striker Dado Prso was brought down in the box.

    Japanese goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi made a brilliant save, diving to his left to keep Darijo Srna's penalty out.

    In the 27th minute, Croatia playmaker Niko Kranjcar smashed a shot against the crossbar from 25 yards out, and the ball rebounded to safety.

    Japan's best chance came four minutes after the interval when Atsushi Yanagisawa missed a sitter from Akira Kaji's cross, mis-kicking with the goal wide open.

    Japan coach Zico criticised World Cup organisers after his side played its second consecutive match in hot weather, in Nuremberg.

    Japan, who lost to Australia 3-1 in their opener, drew 0-0 with Group F rivals Croatia and will need to beat Brazil in their final group game to stand a chance of making the last 16.

    "It's a crime that we had to play in this heat again," said the Brazilian.

    "Our last game was at 3pm too but they want to do it that way for television. I guess business is business."

    Zico added: "We lost our way a little bit in the second half.

    "But while you're still breathing you're still alive and we'll do all we can to stay alive."

    Croatia coach Zlatko Kranjcar was left to rue his side's missed chances - but is still hopeful they can qualify for the knockout stage from Group F.

    Kranjcar said: "We saw a very hard and tough game which we dominated.

    "We had a lot of chances but again we didn't score and that is a problem for us. We were better organised but we had a bit of bad luck.

    "If we win the next game we go to the next round - the players still have enough strength to get a good result."

    Croatia had 16 shots to Japan's 12 during the match, but only six were on target compared to five for Zico's Japanese team. Enditem