Japan, seeking a point, level 0-0 at halftime vs Poland

Japan’s Takashi Usami in action with Poland’s Grzegorz Krychowiak REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino

VOLGOGRAD: Japan, needing only a draw to reach the knockout phase of the World Cup, were being held to a goalless draw at halftime by already-eliminated Poland in their final Group H match on Thursday.

Japan, who have only qualified for the last 16 of the World Cup twice before, looked happy to contain Poland but goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima had to pull off a fine save to stop a header from Kamil Grosicki from crossing the line after half an hour.