Celtic forward Kyogo Furuhashi has indeed been called up to the Japan national team for upcoming internationals against Saudi Arabia and Australia.
Kyogo was initially absent from the announced Japanese squad. However, the situation became murky when Ange Postecoglou said in a Wednesday press conference he would be joining up to represent his country.
Now a press release has confirmed his addition, as reported by Sean Carroll, a freelance journalist who covers Japanese football.
It means Kyogo is again facing a mammoth round the world trip, first facing Saudi Arabia in Jeddah next Thursday, before playing at home to Australia in Japan the following Tuesday.
You’ll remember of course that it was on international duty we originally lost the forward to injury that ruled him out for most of September.
We can’t afford him to pick up another knock that keeps him out for weeks, so there will understandably be concern from Celtic supporters at this news.
It would have been far more beneficial for him to stay at Lennoxtown and continue his comeback. He’s only just returned to action.
The reality is though that players want to represent their countries and these matches are crucial to Japan’s World Cup qualifying bid.
With more qualifiers scheduled for November, it won’t be the last time this year we wave goodbye to talents like Kyogo and Tom Rogic on far flung trips. That’s the nature of modern football.
In other news, Chris Sutton’s instant reaction to Celtic 0-4 Bayer Leverkusen.
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