Nuremberg: The heroics of goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi failed to inspire Japan on Sunday as their 0-0 draw with Croatia left them facing World Cup elimination.
Japan produced little to trouble the Croats after Kawaguchi's brilliant 22nd-minute penalty save from Darijo Srna and are now looking for a minor miracle to advance.
The Asian champions need to beat World Cup holders Brazil in their final Group F game on Thursday and the enormity of the task was etched on Kawaguchi's face.
"I thought the penalty save would change things in our favour," he told reporters. "If they had scored from that it would have been dangerous for us.
"But we didn't go on from there and we're extremely gloomy about the result."
The Japanese were humbled 3-1 by Australia in their opening game and a lack of incision proved costly against a Croatian team also chasing a win after their opening 1-0 loss to Brazil.
"There's not much I can do about the finishing as a goalkeeper," shrugged Kawaguchi, so often the inspiration for Japan in the past.
"I was just determined to keep a clean sheet and give some confidence to the team."
It might have been even worse for Japan as Kawaguchi acknowledged he changed his mind just before Srna struck his spot kick and decided to plunge to his left.
"I was going to go right," laughed Kawaguchi. "I don't know why I changed my mind.
"I watched a video of (Srna's spot kicks) but I completely forgot what he usually did. I just went blank."
Kawaguchi admitted the odds were stacked against Japan producing one of the biggest World Cup upsets by beating Brazil but pledged they would not shirk the challenge.
"We have absolutely nothing to lose," he said. "We have to leave every drop of energy on the pitch - even if we all end up collapsing."
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