Celtic winger Daizen Maeda is set to return to Scotland earlier than expected according to reports. The development follows the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) announcement today that the highly anticipated match between North Korea and Japan, initially scheduled for Pyongyang this Tuesday, has been officially cancelled.
SunSport reports the decision comes amid escalating tensions and a remarkable dispute between the two nations over the fixture, which was dubbed a “powderkeg” due to its potential for sparking off-field controversies. The AFC’s statement revealed that the match’s cancellation was the result of “unforeseen circumstances,” following discussions with FIFA and comes in the wake of North Korea’s refusal to host the game owing to health concerns related to a rise in streptococcal infections in Japan.
The match, if it had gone ahead, would have marked the first visit of Japan’s men’s team to North Korea since 2011, offering a rare glimpse into international football within the isolated state. The AFC’s decision spares Maeda, who played the entirety of Japan’s 1-0 victory over North Korea in Tokyo yesterday, from participating in a contest fraught with diplomatic sensitivities.
The backdrop to this development is as complex as it is unusual. The AFC has deferred the matter to FIFA’s “relevant committees” for further deliberation, leaving the future of this fixture in limbo. With official updates pending, the football community is left to ponder the ramifications of this unprecedented situation.
For now, it’s good news for Celtic who will likely get their player back earlier and not have to worry about him picking up an injury.
