Japan 0–0 Greece in Group Stage

The first half of the match was characterized by a cautious approach from both teams. Japan 's Makoto Hasebe came on as a substitute in the 35th minute, while Greece 's Kostas Katsouranis entered as a substitute, initially playing as a winger. Greece immediately initiated the attack, and their first opportunity came in the 27th minute when Kostas Katsouranis scored a goal, initially credited to Greece. Japan responded quickly, with Makoto Hasebe entering the field as a substitute, and quickly put Greek defense under pressure. The match remained scoreless until the second half, with both teams maintaining a defensive posture. The second half continued with similar tactical patterns, with Greece's Georgios Samaras coming on as a substitute, attempting to create scoring opportunities. Japan's Yasuhito Endō and Shinji Kagawa entered the field, and the match continued to be a tactical stalemate. The match was concluded with a 55th-minute goal from Georgios Samaras, followed by a late goal from Vasilis Torosidis, which sealed a draw. The match showcased a focused defensive effort from both sides, and a solid display from Japan's defense.

In the 41st minute, Giannis Fetfatzidis entered the field as a substitute, adding a spark to Greece's attack. The 46th minute saw Japan's Yuya Osako enter the field, and the match continued with a cautious approach from Japan. The 57th minute saw a substitution of Yuya Osako with Shinji Kagawa. The 81st minute saw Panagiotis Kone enter the field as a substitute, and the match continued with a cautious approach from Greece. The 81st minute saw Greece's Georgios Samaras score a goal, bringing them within a goal of the draw. The final minutes of the match were marked by a sustained defensive effort from both teams, with neither side able to create a clear scoring opportunity. The match's overall result was a draw, which was the most common outcome in the group stage. The focus of the match was on maintaining a solid defensive structure and preventing any significant scoring chances. The match's intensity was notable, demonstrating the competitiveness of both teams, especially in the second half.