Celtic’s Daizen Maeda has ventured into a new role on the international stage, taking on defensive responsibilities as Japan continues its World Cup qualifying campaign.
Maeda, typically deployed as an attacker at Celtic, was deployed as a left-back during Japan’s convincing 5-0 victory over Myanmar.
This tactical adjustment by Japan’s manager, Hajime Moriyasu, reflects a broader trend of flexibility among Celtic players, with teammate Reo Hatate also experimenting with new positions during the international break.
Maeda entered the match as a substitute with roughly 30 minutes remaining, contributing to Japan’s defensive solidity while they secured crucial points toward qualification for the 2026 World Cup in North America.
Discussing his new defensive role, Maeda expressed enthusiasm and readiness for the challenge. He highlighted the physical demands of the wing-back position, saying to Soccer Digest Web, “Of course, I don’t know who will be in the match, but when I play, I have to show something different (from Keito Nakamura). The opponents will come in a situation where they need to win, so I think it will be a difficult match. I want to make sure I’m fired up.
“Wing-backs have to run longer distances and I think I can use my weapons (speed and running ability) more than other players, but it becomes hard if I do that all the time for 90 minutes.
“It’s important to use your head and think about when to come up. In a way, it’s a position I’ve never played before, so it’s fresh and I’m looking forward to it. I want to do what I can do against strong opponents.”
The adaptation to a new playing style under Celtic’s current manager, Brendan Rodgers, initially posed challenges for Maeda, but he feels his role has remained largely consistent, allowing him to perform effectively.
“This season the coach changed (from Ange Postecoglou to Brendan Rodgers) and the style of football changed, so it was difficult at first, but my role didn’t change much and I was able to play well. I want to show the results of that in the last game of the season (against Syria) and finish in a good way.”
