Japan defender Maya Yoshida insists he and his teammates are relaxed ahead of Thursday's crunch World Cup qualifier against Australia despite rumors that manager Vahid Halilhodzic will be fired if the Samurai Blue fail to win.
"To be honest it's really calm, because we all know our situation," the Southampton center back told reporters after a training session at Saitama Stadium on Tuesday. "For the national team, every single game is important. We have to win, especially in Asia. The manager is always under pressure. That's their job."
Japan heads into Thursday's game in Saitama knowing that a win will seal its place at a sixth straight World Cup, but also that anything less could open the door for second-place Saudi Arabia and the third-place Australians. Japan currently tops Group B on 17 points, one ahead of the Saudis and Australia on 16, with two games remaining and only two automatic qualifying spots up for grabs. The third-place team goes into the playoffs.
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