Kyogo Furuhashi is hoping that the physical ways of Scottish football can pay off for Japan in tomorrow’s World Cup qualifier against Australia.
The Celtic striker reported for international duty following a bruising clash at Aberdeen where he was given little protection from Bobby Madden who felt that Celtic with 62% possession were putting the boot in.
A home win is badly needed if Japan are to stay in contention for a World Cup place with Kyogo only getting on for the last 30 minutes of the 1-0 defeat from Saudi Arabia.
Australia and Saudi Arabia have won all three group matches so far with Japan having just three points from the same amount of matches.
Previewing tomorrow’s match, the Daily Record reports:
Speaking ahead of nation’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Australia, Kyogo was asked if he could use what he has learned in Scotland against the “tall and physical” Oz backline.
He said: “That is a feature (of Scottish football), so I use my movement to outsmart the opponent.
“I hate it if I can’t continue a run, and there are some players who are good at lowering the opponent’s line and receiving it in the space. So if I can do that movement as well (against Australia).
“What you can do is run in the offence and defence, and in attacks you can create space by continuing to move aiming for space and get closer to the goal. I think that going from the front to the pressure will give the team a good chance.”
After tomorrow’s match Kyogo and Tom Rogic will head back to Scotland where they can expect another physical challenge from Motherwell on Saturday.
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