Mixed fortunes for Celtic duo Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda on international duty despite Japan’s rout of China

Celtic duo Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda had mixed fortunes on international duty today despite Japan’s rousing victory over China.

 

The Celtic pair were called up by Hajime Moriyasu to the Samurai Blues for the World Cup qualifying doubleheaders against China and Bahrain in this international break.

Both Reo Hatate and Maeda have been in fine form for Celtic this season helping to keep the club on top of the Scottish Premiership table.

 

Hatate and Daizen Maeda also had fine games in the 3-0 defeat of Rangers so they headed to Japan full of confidence ready to get Moriyasu’s World Cup qualifying campaign off to a good start.

 

However, the Japan manager had other ideas and despite the crushing defeat of China, the victory was bitter-sweet for the Celtic pair.

Reo Hatate missing from Japan’s matchday squad

Despite getting called up for the international doubleheader, Celtic midfielder Reo Hatate was missing from Japan’s matchday squad to face China.

 

The 26-year-old has nine caps for his country and was a regular feature under Moriyasu until he suffered a calf injury last season.

 

Hatate’s last appearance for the Samurai Blues was in the 5-0 win over Myanmar in June where he got 45 minutes. The Celtic midfielder was left on the bench in the 5-0 win over Syria a few days later.

Daizen Maeda’s goal-scoring substitute appearance for Japan

Daizen Maeda, I think it’s fair to say, is a favourite of Moriyasu’s. With 18 caps for Japan, the Celtic winger is trusted by his national manager to do a job for the team.

However, he started on the bench today but did make an appearance in the 63rd minute when Japan were already 4-0 up.

 

Normally deployed as a striker, Maeda was played in his usual Celtic position on the left wing and managed to get on the scoresheet netting Japan’s sixth goal against the Chinese.

 

Maeda ghosted in at the back post to nod past the Chinese goalkeeper in the 87th minute to contribute to Japan’s 7-0 rout of China and both he and Hatate will hope to start against the Bahranians on Tuesday night.