Soccer: Japan focusing on beating Australia not fate of coach, says Yoshida

Japan defender Maya Yoshida says he and his national teammates are unfazed by reports that coach Vahid Halilhodzic could be sacked if the Blue Samurai fail to beat Australia in Thursday night's vital World Cup final-round qualifier.Group B leaders Japan are just one point ahead of second-place Saudi Arabia and third-place Australia going into the match at Saitama Stadium, and reports claim even a draw might not be enough to save Halilhodzic from the chop ahead of the team's final game away to the Saudis on Sept. 5.But speaking to reporters after Tuesday's training session, Yoshida said, "To…READ FULL ARTICLE