Celtic forward Daizen Maeda has been selected in Japan’s squad for their upcoming international fixtures later this month against Scotland and England. However Reo Hatate misses out…
Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu has named the 28-year-old in his travelling party for matches against Scotland at Hampden Park and England at Wembley, as the Samurai Blue prepare for a high-profile trip to Britain.
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Maeda retains his place in the national setup, but there is once again disappointment for his Celtic teammate Reo Hatate, who has not been included despite showing improved form in recent weeks.
The Hoops midfielder impressed in the recent derby clash at Ibrox, yet remains absent once again from the international fold.
Hatate – who has 11 caps to his name – has not featured for Japan in the past year and must wait longer for a potential recall.
Maeda will link up with several Japan internationals currently playing in Britain, including Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma, Leeds United’s Ao Tanaka, and Crystal Palace’s Daichi Kamada.
Since making his senior debut in 2019, Maeda has gone on to represent his country 26 times, finding the net on four occasions.
Maeda will come up against his Celtic teammates as Hoops defenders Kieran Tierney and Anthony Ralston have both been selected in Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad for the upcoming international fixtures against Japan and the Ivory Coast.
The full-back pair continue their involvement at international level – with Tierney having recently reached the milestone of 50 caps – while Ralston is approaching a quarter-century of appearances for the national side.
Scotland are scheduled to host Japan at Hampden Park on Saturday, March 28, before making the trip south to Liverpool, where they will take on the Ivory Coast at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium three days later.
The trio will then return from the international break to prepare for the trip to Dundee at Dens Park in Martin O’Neill’s side penultimate game before the split.
Japan Squad for International friendlies in Britain
Japan’s International Friendlies in Britain…
Scotland v Japan – Sunday 29 March, Hampden Park,
England v Japan – Wednesday 1 April, Wembley Stadium.
Conor Spence
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