Led by Brazilian coach Zico, Japan pulled out a 0-0 draw with Croatia in an unimpressive second game Sunday, meaning that they now have to defeat the powerhouse side to survive.

"Japan is surviving as its head hasn't been chopped off yet, although it is hanging by a thin piece of skin," wrote the Tokyo Chunichi Sports newspaper. "Japan must defeat Brazil. God, make a miracle!"

But many admitted beating the champions on Friday seemed far-fetched.

Amane Suzuki, 30, a company worker and amateur football player, said that Japan may just not be in the ranks of top football nations yet.

"It's very frustrating. Now we have a very limited chance of advancing," said Suzuki, wearing a "Samurai Blue" jersey as he watched the Croatia match at a Tokyo bar.

"Our strikers are crap. There were some moments when they could have taken shots but they didn't," he said.

Ryu Fukumoto, 29, who sold his ticket to watch the match in Leipzig because he could not find a hotel, made do instead by taking part in an impromptu post-game rally with drums and flags in the Shibuya nightlife district.

"We could have won but we missed a lot of chances. It's really regrettable," Fukumoto said.

"We need to look at what other teams are doing. We need to be more aggressive."

Japanese media clung to hopes that the national side could score a breakthrough.

"The draw was almost a loss," Nikkan Sports said. "So as not to waste the draw and to answer support from home, Zico's Japan has to bring about a miracle."

Newspapers praised veteran goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi, who refused to give up a single goal to the Croatians, reviving memories of his defense at the 1996 Olympics -- when Japan defeated Brazil in Miami.

Sports Nippon newspaper said: "Kawaguchi's miracle left hand stopped a penalty."

"Japan could not win. But it didn't lose either," the sports daily said. "If Japan had not had Kawaguchi's super save, its hope to survive the first round could have been gone."

"The main performer who brought about the Miami miracle will protect the goal with a strong belief in moving on to the final round," the newspaper said.

It was a turnaround in fortunes for Kawaguchi, who allowed three goals in the last 10 minutes against Australia as Japan went down to a humiliating 3-1 loss in this year's opener.

"Kawaguchi avenged those who criticized him for moving too forward and losing three goals to the Australians," the Nikkan Sports said.