Daizen Maeda has kicked off his World Cup campaign with Japan.
The Celtic forward jetted off to the United States in stellar form after scoring in every post-split fixture and guiding Martin O’Neill’s side to the domestic double.
On Sunday, Maeda started Japan’s 2-2 draw against the Netherlands to open their World Cup campaign with a deserved point.
Lasting just over 60 minutes, Maeda was described by the Japanese press as a thoroughly ‘annoying presence’ who disrupted a formidable opposition.
However, observers also noted that his intense initial impact gradually faded away before his substitution.
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Daizen Maeda was ‘troublesome’ against the Netherlands
Maeda’s overall season at Celtic was poor.
Consistently, he struggled for large parts, but from his, Celtic’s and Japan’s perspective, he found that rhythm and spark just at the right time.
Japan outlet Soccer Digest Web rated Maeda’s 66 minutes on the pitch at ‘6.5’.
Maeda found his form as a striker during the final months of Celtic’s season, but he was deployed on the left for his national side.
Soccer Digest Web stated: ‘Started as a left shadow striker. He was a troublesome presence, appearing in annoying positions.’
Maeda ‘lost momentum’ against the Dutch
Japan outlet Goal weren’t so kind with their ratings of Maeda.
They rated his display at the Dallas Stadium at ‘5.5’, and noted how Celtic’s all-action forward lost his quality after the break.
Japan Goal stated: ‘Actively attacked from the left, substituted off. Lost momentum in the second half and was substituted.’
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