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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Aidan Macdonald

Japan thrash Canada as Celtic stars Kyogo, Hatate and Johnston all feature

There was plenty of Celtic involvement as Japan thrashed Canada 4-1 in a friendly.

Kyogo Furuhashi and Reo Hatate came off the bench for the hosts in a comfortable victory, while Alistair Johnston started the fixture as he played for 80 minutes.

Japan were 3-0 up at half time after strikes from Ao Tanaka and Keito Nakamura, as well as an own goal from Bayern Munich full-back Alphonso Davies.

Johnston made a mistake for the third goal as he lost the ball in midfield and the visitors were swiftly punished.

Tanaka then grabbed his second goal just after the break to give Japan a commanding lead.

Junior Hoilett scored a consolation goal in the 89th minute for Canada.

The game was Canada's first under interim coach Mauro Biello, a former assistant coach who was put in charge after John Herdman left to take over Toronto FC.

Meanwhile, Celtic defender Gustaf Lagerbielke scored his first goal for Sweden in their 3-1 win over Moldova.

The 23-year-old nodded home from a corner just before half time in what was only his second cap for his country.

And Lagerbielke spoke after the match about his goal being a "dream come true". He told Swedish outlet Fotbollskanalen: “It’s a childhood dream to play here at Friends for the national team and then scoring a goal is a bonus. I’m very happy right now.

“I have scored a few goals in training and then there have been no goal gestures [he performed a ‘V’ celebration after scoring].

"When you get the chance, you have to try to take it. I think I made a good effort. It’s up to Janne [Andersson] and Peter [Wettergren]. I load up as if I’m going to play.”

The centre-back has had an up-and-down start to his Celtic career after keeping a clean sheet in the Parkhead side's 1-0 win at Ibrox, he was sent off in the Champions League against Feyenoord last month.

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