Kyogo’s lingering hopes of making the World Cup have suffered another blow after a place did become available but unfortunately for the Celtic striker, Japan’s manager Hajime Moriyasu has opted to call-up a different striker to fill the gap that’s been left after the Huddersfield central defender Yuta Nakayama had to withdraw from the squad due to injury.
It was thought last week when Kyogo was the big surprise omission from the Japan squad, which does include his Celtic teammate Daizen Maeda, that the Celtic striker would top the list of replacements if any call-offs emerged.
As it was a defender who called off the expectation may have been that Moriyasu would have made a like-for-like replacement, however the Japan manager instead decided to add another striker to his squad…but surprisingly not Kyogo!
Instead he has called up 23 year old Shonan Bellmare striker Shuto Machino who only made his international debut this year but has scored three goals in his four international appearances and has also scored 13 times in the J-League. The squad amendment was announced via the official Japan FA website.
However Kyogo, who has been capped 16 times by Japan, has already scored 10 gaols for Celtic and our season has not even reached the half-way stage.
With Shuto Machino being called up, Kyogo’s chances have diminished further, unless maybe a forward calls off due to to injury over the next week. If it’s a player in another position it would seem unlikely that Hajime Moriyasu would add another striker.
Reo Hatate, who has also been on excellent form for Celtic this year, has also been overlooked for the Japan World Cup squad, but given his lack of experience at full International level, that was less of a surprise that Kyogo missing out.
The Japan striker though seems to be determined to make a point by banging in goals for Celtic, as his crucial goal against Dundee United on Saturday suggestions. Hopefully both Motherwell and Ross County are going to suffer the wrath of Kyogo over the next few days.
🇯🇵 | Kyogo Furuhashi
Former Japan international Marcus Tulio Tanaka has had his say on the Japan World Cup selection 👇🏼
"Personally, I would have included Kyogo Furuhashi in the squad. If I was the manager, I would be deciding between Furuhashi or Osako as starters." pic.twitter.com/3ecLlKb4cY
— Everything Celtic (@aboutceltic) November 8, 2022
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