Paraguay, Japan 0-0 at halftime of round of 16 match at World Cup

Paraguay, Japan 0-0 at halftime

PRETORIA, South Africa — Paraguay and Japan have gone to halftime tied 0-0 in their World Cup second-round match.

After a cautious opening, Paraguay forward Lucas Barrios neatly sidestepped the last defender in the 20th minute and tried to flick the ball in with the outside of his right boot. Goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima got down well to block it.

Japan came close in the 22nd when Daisuke Matsui’s 25-yard shot hit the crossbar.

Paraguay’s Roque Santa Cruz shot wide in the 29th when under no pressure in the box, while Keisuke Honda drove a shot wide from outside the area in the 40th minute after a quick break.