Maeda Starts for Japan in Germany as Hatate is Left Out of Squad

Japan will take on the USA at the Düsseldorf Arena this afternoon with a 13.25 BST kick-off.

There were three current Celtic stars called up to the Japan squad with Kyogo Furuhashi, Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate all being selected by Hajime Moriyasu.

https://twitter.com/jfa_samuraiblue/status/1573273467134541825?s=20&t=MGUEWwFoSqoiUTyApkW5Eg

These matches in the Kirin Cup will serve as good tests in preparation for the World Cup in November with Japan being in a group alongside Spain, Germany and Costa Rica.

Had Cameron Carter-Vickers been fit, there could have been potential to see him come up against his Celtic teammates but unfortunately he had to withdraw from the squad due to what has been described as a minor injury by his international coach.

Daizen Maeda has been given the nod to start up front for Japan this afternoon with there being a bit of experimentation in the side.

Kyogo features on the bench for the Samurai Blue but Reo Hatate has been left out of the team altogether.

Soccer Football – Champions League – Group H – Celtic v Real Madrid – Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – September 6, 2022
Real Madrid’s Dani Carvajal in action with Celtic’s Reo Hatate REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

The 24-year old has had a brilliant start to the season and has so far impressed at Champions League level.

Many would have hoped to have seen him feature at some point today but his search for international caps goes on having only managed one so far in his career.

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