Japanese FA explain why Celtic pair Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate have been dropped from international squad

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The Japanese Football Association (JFA) have replaced new Celtic duo Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda from their squad to face Uzbekistan in the Kirin Challenge Cup.

Maeda and Hatate were initially picked as part of an all-J League select. With World Cup qualifiers ahead, manager Hajime Moriyasu clearly wanted to take a look at home-grown talent ahead of bigger challenges. However, the JFA announced earlier today that the new Celtic duo had been dropped.

Officially, the JFA said it was “Due to international transfer”, which stands to reason.

The duo have been replaced by Shimizu S-Pulse talents Daiki Matsuota and Yuito Suzuki for the Uzbekistan clash. The game takes place on the 21st of January.

Previously, the JFA had announced [via J Soccer Magazine] that players departing the J League wouldn’t be called up for this clash. Instead, they’d be given time to settle into their new surroundings, as is the case for Hatate and Maeda. The latter has already given a press conference at Celtic. Hatate is expected to the same in the coming days.

It doesn’t mean, however, that there are guarantees surrounding the JFA’s selection policy for matches against China on the 27th of January and Saudi Arabia on the 1st of February. So, Maeda and Hatate could feature against Hibernian on the 17th of January. Beyond that, the picture is more opaque.

Japanese FA providing no shocks over Celtic pair Hatate and Maeda

To be honest, it’d be far more surprising if Hatate and Maeda were called up regardless. The Japanese FA have been pretty clear on their policy for the Uzbekistan match.

And while it doesn’t mean a great deal in terms of who’ll be around for the Glasgow Derby, it’s at least a chance – potentially – for Hatate and Maeda to get some Celtic game-time under their belts in January.

If the pair suitably impress Ange Postecoglou, they could theoretically get minutes against Hibernian or Alloa Athletic, for example.

Much, though, depends on what Moriyasu wants to do for the China and Saudi Arabia games. So, there’s nothing to suggest we can draw conclusions about the immediate future. Beyond, that is, this game against Uzbekistan.

For Hatate and Maeda, then, a brief chance to acclimatise in Glasgow.

Here’s hoping they’ve brought jackets with them.

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