Paraguay, Japan at 0-0 through 75 minutes of round of 16 match at WCup

Paraguay, Japan 0-0 after 75 minutes

PRETORIA, South Africa — Paraguay and Japan remain at 0-0 through 75 minutes of their World Cup second-round match.

The best chance in the second half was by Paraguay’s Edgar Benitez, but Japan defender Yuji Nakazawa blocked his shot.

Paraguay midfielder Christian Riveros also headed straight at goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima.

Both teams came close in the first half. Paraguay forward Lucas Barrios sidestepped the last defender in the 20th, but Kawashima got down to block the flicked shot.

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

Paraguay’s Roque Santa Cruz and Japan’s Keisuke Honda both shot wide later in the half.