Japan held to 0-0 draw by Zimbabwe in World Cup warm-up match

Japan and Zimbabwe play 0-0 draw in WCup warm-up

GEORGE, South Africa — Japan has been held to a disappointing 0-0 draw against Zimbabwe in a World Cup warmup match.

Japan outplayed its lowly ranked opponent, controlling long stretches of Thursday’s game, but could not find the net.

The game was split into three 30-minute periods, in which Zimbabwe managed only one shot at goal.

Playmaker Shunsuke Nakamura, coming back from an ankle injury, played the first third without visible discomfort but was below his best.

Captain Makoto Hasebe, who hurt his back during training three days ago, also came through the first third of the game without a recurrence of the injury.