Celtic forward Daizen Maeda has shared the wholesome story of how he found out that he had been selected for the Japan squad for the forthcoming Qatar World Cup.
The 25-year-old had been chosen sporadically for manager Hajime Moriyasu’s squad, but was the only one of Celtic’s four Japanese stars to receive a call-up for Qatar.
With the tournament now just a matter of days away, Maeda spoke to the Japanese press this morning, and was asked about how he discovered that he had made the squad.
As reported by NKR, (Translated using Google Translate) Maeda said: “It was 5 o’clock in the morning in Scotland, so I was sleeping, and my wife was watching the announcement conference with an alarm. When I woke up, my wife jumped up and said, ‘You did it!'”
When asked about how he’ll approach the tournament, the attacker was cautious about both his and Japan’s chances.
He said: “I don’t think it will be so easy unless I do it with a strong feeling to beat my opponent, so I have a strong feeling that I can do it. I want to take on the challenge, I’m a forward, so I want to score goals for the team, and I want to run and fight for the team.
“Since I was selected, I have to fight with responsibility.”
Maeda also responded to a question of what his ambitions were for the tournament with an answer that typifies his approach as a footballer.
He said: “I want to score goals for the team, and I want to run and fight for the team.
“I think it would be nice if I could score a goal with the feeling of throwing myself into the goal.”
Though Maeda has come in for some criticism this season, it’s testament to his tactical usefulness and pressing ability that his lack of goals haven’t counted against him in terms of international selection.
Though his fellow Japan stars, Kyogo in particular given his recent selections for the national side, will be gutted to have not been picked for a spot at Qatar, it’s always great to see Celtic players get the chance to play on the biggest stage, and by getting to represent his country at a World Cup, Maeda will achieve something most players dream of.
He’s unlikely to be the only Celtic player selected, and with luck, those who go to Qatar have fine tournaments and return injury-free to go again for the Scottish Champions in December.
In other news: Celtic outshine rivals again as the Postecoglou effect is felt in major Champions League earnings
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