Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu has defended his decision to select Kyogo Furuhashi for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, despite the striker’s limited game time since his move to Rennes in January.
Kyogo has played only three times for the Ligue 1 side, making just one start and failing to register a goal or assist in 92 minutes of football. However, Moriyasu remains confident in the former Celtic striker’s ability, stating that he has confirmed Kyogo is training well despite his limited opportunities to play.
Moriyasu’s decision to select Kyogo has raised eyebrows, given the striker’s struggles to establish himself at Rennes. However, the Japan manager has shown that he rates Kyogo highly, often selecting him for international duty despite his limited playing time at club level.
In addition to Kyogo, Celtic duo Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda have also been selected for Japan. Hatate has been a regular starter for the Hoops, and his inclusion comes as no surprise. Maeda, on the other hand, has been in red-hot form for Celtic, scoring in four consecutive games, and his selection is a recognition of his impressive performances.
Moriyasu praised Maeda’s form, highlighting the strength of his attacking options. “In terms of options for our preparations, Daizen Maeda and Keito Nakamura are both forwards on their own teams and have shown good performances, so I think we can fight to win with this member with various options.”
For Celtic fans, Maeda’s form has been a major positive in recent weeks, and his Japan call-up is further recognition of his impressive performances. Meanwhile, Kyogo will be hoping to use the international break as a chance to rediscover his best form, and game time with Japan could provide a much-needed confidence boost.
Overall, Moriyasu’s decision to select Kyogo, Hatate, and Maeda reflects his confidence in their abilities, and the three players will be looking to make a positive impact for Japan in their upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
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