Daizen Maeda speaks from Japan camp at AFC Asian Cup and his hopes to replicate key Celtic ‘strength’

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Celtic have been left depleted in the forward areas this month due to five players being involved at the AFC Asian Cup.

Hyeongyu Oh, Reo Hatate, Marco Tilio and Yang Hyun-jun are all in Qatar with their respective nations and will be vying to add the prestigious tournament to their career trophy haul before returning to Lennoxtown.

Daizen Maeda has also travelled with Japan’s camp to the Middle East and came off the bench in the Samurai Blue’s 2-1 defeat to Iraq on Friday, per Transfermarkt.

Losing out after a victory against Vietnam in their opening fixture, Hajime Moriyasu’s men sit second in Group D with three points from two matches [ESPN].

In order to progress to the knockout phase, Maeda and company must secure three points against Indonesia at Al Thumama Stadium on Wednesday, with the encounter kicking off at 11:30 am UK time.

Only goal difference separates both sides heading into the clash and the stakes are high for Japan, given they are among the favourites to win the competition outright.

Celtic’s Daizen Maeda speaks ahead of Indonesia clash

Despite the pressure of having to win to secure progression, Maeda seems to be in a calm mood ahead of Japan’s must-win encounter against Indonesia tomorrow.

Discussing his involvement against Iraq and hopes for the rest of the tournament, the 26-year-old also indicated he is looking to replicate his club exploits to help fire Japan into the knockout rounds.

He stated [Glasgow Times]: “I came into the Asian Cup desperate to show what I can do. The worst thing for me was coming on against Iraq when we were losing and missing a chance to equalise. I’m sorry I couldn’t score because I was slow going for the header.

“If selected for the next game, I want to create chances for my colleagues. That’s what I try to do at Celtic. My strength is my speed. I hope I can make the most of that.

“We know we have to win the final game in the group, but I am not worried because we also lost the second game at the World Cup and still qualified.”

Daizen Maeda will be a big miss for Celtic

Celtic return to Scottish Premiership action this weekend and will be minus Maeda for the visit of Ross County at the weekend.

The Taishi-born winger could also miss the Hoops’ upcoming double-header against Aberdeen and Hibernian in early February, which are the type of matches his relentless work ethic comes to the fore.

Despite his defensive qualities, Maeda has also created four big chances this campaign in the Scottish top-flight and has averaged 1.9 shots on goal per fixture, according to Sofascore.

Make no bones about it, the Hoops will miss Maeda’s influence while he is on international duty; nevertheless, his absence could pave the way for new signing Nicolas Kuhn to make an impact in green and white.