Celtic’s star striker Kyogo Furuhashi has seen his determination pay off with a recall to the Japanese national team, ending a period of international absence that followed his last appearance in a victory over Tunisia in October 2023.
This inclusion comes as recognition of his stellar performances in the Champions League, where his impactful play has not only bolstered Celtic’s European ambitions but also caught the eye of top clubs like Manchester City, who were interested in the striker to play second fiddle to Haaland.
Japan’s head coach, Hajime Moriyasu, highlighted the striker’s recent contributions as the primary reason for his selection, making it clear that Kyogo earned his place based on merit. Moriyasu noted that Kyogo’s call-up was not as a stand-in but as a valued part of the team capable of making decisive contributions.
“It has been difficult to call him up recently, but his performances have always been checked by the staff, who have been watching Celtic games on the field and watching video footage of every game as long as they can go.
“Needless to say, he has achieved results so far at Celtic and in Europe. I have chosen him because he plays with a presence that makes the team win.
“He may be considered as a replacement for Ueda, but I have selected him not as a replacement, but as a player I should select, as I usually look at him as a candidate player.
“I think he is a player who can match and finish with pinpoint accuracy in front of goal. I want him to play boldly so that he can show his quality in front of goal, and I also want the team to be able to make the most of his good qualities. We want to work so that we can broaden the range for both sides.”
Moriyasu also pointed to Kyogo’s ability to break through defensive lines, which was evident in his recent Champions League outings.
“We ask CF (centre forward) to get behind the opponent first.
“And if we can’t do that, we need to be the starting point, and our aim as a team remains the same.
“If we can take advantage of his strengths and increase the variety of attacks, the team will also improve.
“In his most recent Champions League match, he was able to get out of the back of the opposition’s defensive line and tactics.
“I want them to take advantage of that kind of movement to aim for goals in a straight line, and I want to make the most of it.”
This call-up signals an opportunity for Kyogo to cement his place in the national squad as Japan prepares for their matches against Indonesia and China.
Reo Hatate will be looking to join Kyogo in making his place in the national set-up permanent. Although the midfielder has been a regular in the selections, he’s struggled for minutes.
