Their only previous meeting was in the 2005 Confederations Cup with Japan securing a 1-0 win thanks to a goal by Masashi Oguro. Yasuhito Endo is the only current member of the Japan squad to have taken part in that game.
Greece's only previous World Cup fixture against an Asian side was in 2010 when they lost 2-0 against South Korea in their opening game.
Japan have won twice in their seven encounters against European sides at the World Cup (D2, L3).
Greece have lost six of their seven World Cup games (W1).
Greece have failed to score in six of their seven World Cup games. Only against Nigeria in 2010 did they manage to find the net (2-1 - Dimitris Salpingidis and Vasilis Torosidis).
Greece have failed to keep a clean sheet in their seven World Cup encounters.
Greece have conceded an average of 2.6 goals per game at the World Cup, the highest ratio amongst the 32 teams involved in this tournament.
Keisuke Honda has been involved in four of Japan's last five goals at the World Cup (3 goals, 1 assist). He is Japan top-scorer in the competition (3 goals).
Giorgios Samaras has attempted more shots without scoring at the World Cup than any other Greek player (9, including blocked shots).
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