Kyogo is on a 'higher level' than Celtic teammate Daizen Maeda, according to a Japan legend who tried to explain why the forward was snubbed.
On-fire Furuhashi's 24 goals in all competitions for Ange Postecoglou's rampant league leaders was not enough to earn a call up again to the Japanese national team by boss Hajime Moriyasu. It's the second time in less than a year that the Parkhead contingent have been split up with only Maeda making the cut for the World Cup in Qatar with Reo Hatate also surprisingly left out.
And the reaction to the 28-year-old's exclusion has garnered widespread criticism, with Japan legend Marcus Tanaka claiming that the boss simply cannot be watching the same videos he does of Kyogo. The former Samaurai Blue man also believes Maeda has quality but that his Celtic pal is operating at a higher level.
“It’s unfair,” he said. “Kyogo is producing results and has to be chosen. Daizen Maeda does his best, but Kyogo is on a higher level.
“The Japan coach said that he watches all Celtic’s games. Was the video cut for Kyogo? It’s a contradiction. He is watching him, but he didn't choose him. What does it mean when he does not pick the most active player at Celtic?
“Takuma Asano is in the squad and he can’t compare to him. The Japan coach definitely has his favourite players — his likes and his dislikes. There are levels as players and, above all, it’s about ability.
“It is the manager’s job to select players of high ability and make them play an active role.”
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