The exclusion of Kyogo from Japan’s national team by coach Hajime Moriyasu for the upcoming international fixtures has caused some upset in the country.
Moriyasu has opted to select Daizen Maeda as the sole representative from Celtic for the World Cup qualifying matches against North Korea, with the first this Thursday at 10.23 am.
This decision comes amid an injury to Reo Hatate and Kyogo’s struggle to find the back of the net as often this season, although he’s been on target a few times recently.
Former Japan international Marcus Tanaka has publicly criticised Moriyasu’s decision, questioning the rationale behind Furuhashi’s omission and the apparent preference for players like Maeda and Takuma Asano of Bochum, despite their “terrible” shortcomings.
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.”
Kyogo will be staying put at Lennoxtown, which Celtic fans are seeing as a positive. He’s undoubtedly the best striker at the club, and him not representing his country should mean his fully fit for Celtic’s next nine, potentially 10, games.
