Hardened 'workaholic' Halilhodzic inspires Japan's World Cup qualification

Yosuke Ideguchi, second from left, celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal in the second half of Japan's World Cup qualifying match against Australia at Saitama Stadium on Aug. 31, 2017. (Mainichi)

Lively fans await Japan's World Cup Group B qualifying soccer match against Australia at Saitama Stadium on Aug. 31, 2017. The banner, referring to Japan's bid to win a berth at the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia, reads, "We'll secure it today at home." (Mainichi)

Fans sing before Japan's World Cup Group B qualifying soccer match against Australia at Saitama Stadium on Aug. 31, 2017. (Mainichi)

Japan's Yuya Osako, left, heads a shot at goal in the first half of Japan's World Cup Group B qualifying soccer match against Australia at Saitama Stadium on Aug. 31, 2017. (Mainichi)

Japan's Hiroki Sakai, left, tries to score with a header in the first half of Japan's World Cup Group B qualifying soccer match against Australia at Saitama Stadium on Aug. 31, 2017. (Mainichi)

Japan's Takuma Asano shoots to score the opening goal against Australia in the first half of a World Cup Group B qualifying soccer match at Saitama Stadium on Aug. 31, 2017. (Mainichi)

Japan's Takuma Asano celebrates scoring the opening goal against Australia in the first half of a World Cup Group B qualifying soccer match at Saitama Stadium on Aug. 31, 2017. (Mainichi)

Japan manager Vahid Halilhodzic, center, celebrates in front of the bench after Japan scored the opening goal in its World Cup qualifying soccer match against Australia at Saitama Stadium on Aug. 31, 2017. (Mainichi)

Yosuke Ideguchi, right, scores a goal in the second half of Japan's World Cup qualifying match against Australia at Saitama Stadium on Aug. 31, 2017. (Mainichi)

People celebrate in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward on the evening of Aug. 31, 2017, after Japan defeated Australia to win a berth in the 2018 soccer World Cup finals in Russia. (Mainichi)

People celebrate in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward on the evening of Aug. 31, 2017, after Japan defeated Australia to win a berth in the 2018 soccer World Cup finals in Russia. (Mainichi)

Japanese players smile alongside Japan manager Vahid Halilhodzic, center, after Japan defeated Australia to win a berth in the 2018 soccer World Cup finals in Russia, at Saitama Stadium on Aug. 31, 2017. (Mainichi)