Hajime Moriyasu has been heavily criticised for leaving Kyogo Furuhashi out of his Japan squad for the upcoming international doubleheader.
Daizen Maeda is the only Celt to have been selected by Moriyasu for the upcoming World Cup qualifying clashes against North Korea due to the injury to Reo Hatate and Kyogo’s goalscoring form.
But former Japan international, Marcus Tanaka, has scorned Moriyasu’s decision to omit the Celtic hitman and says that the international boss has been too ‘tough’ on the Hoops talisman.
Tanaka said [Daily Record], “Daizen Maeda seems to be selected for every squad even if he doesn’t do anything special.
“The most important aspect for any footballer in the world is how they do with the ball at their feet. And Maeda, along with Takuma Asano of Bochum, are both terrible with the ball.
“It’s time to give different players a chance. What’s going on with Kyogo Furuhashi? Japan seems too tough on him, but are Maeda and Asano any good?
“I’d like to see him in the squad again. When you saw how poor they were at the Asian Cup, it makes me think we need to change things. For me, we need to reassess the strikers.”
Firstly, Tanaka is being extremely harsh on Maeda. We all know the weaknesses he has but the Celtic winger’s style fits into Moriyasu’s gameplan as the Japan boss seems to be a huge fan of the workrate he offers the national side.
As for Kyogo, I can understand why he wasn’t called up to the Japan squad. His goalscoring form is nowhere near the high standards he has set over the past two seasons but now, he looks like he is getting back to his best.
Two goals and an assist in his last two Celtic outings have shown Kyogo is on his way back and, hopefully, he can continue that form to not only regain his place in the national squad but to also help bring home a league and Scottish Cup double to Celtic Park.
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