After missing Friday’s match against Uruguay Daizen Maeda has withdrawn from the Japan squad that plays Colombia tomorrow.
The forward started Celtic’s 3-1 win over Hibs on March 18 but apparently the Japanese medics were concerned about the condition that he reported in for international duty.
Daizen Maeda leaves the Japan squad due to an “injury,” with no replacement call-up planned before the team’s friendly against Colombia on Tuesday.
Soccer King (https://t.co/iQBKBNJkqW) suggest this is related to a knock he sustained at Celtic before coming to Japan. https://t.co/pufYxpLxGe
— Dan Orlowitz (@aishiterutokyo) March 26, 2023
Japanese website Sport King reports:
As for Maeda, since he joined the national team, he has been undergoing training on a different menu due to an injury he suffered at the club. In the Kirin Challenge Cup 2023 match against Uruguay held at the “National Stadium” on the 24th, although he was a member, he did not stand on the pitch and spent 90 minutes on the bench. The Japanese national team , who finished the match against Uruguay with a score of 1-1, continues preparations for the match against the Colombian national team on the 28th, but Maeda has to leave the team due to an injury. Decision. It is also reported that there is no additional player to replace Maeda.
Celtic will now be hoping for an early return to Lennoxtown to assess the injury which appeared to be picked up while scoring against Hearts at home on March 8.
Maeda played on after treatment following the clash with Zander Clark but was substituted before half time, missed the Scottish Cup tie at Tynecastle three days later before returning for the 3-1 win over Hibs.
Celtic’s medical team look like being in for a busy week as they assess the knocks picked up by Liel Abada, Maeda and Sead Haksabanovic while Greg Taylor, Aaron Mooy and Cameron Carter-Vickers missed out on international duty due to injury concerns.
The five fixtures in April, including two Glasgow derbies will go a long way to deciding how successful this season will be.
I got the latest info about Daizen Maeda. He still couldn't join team's training and carried out another menu, so it's unclear whether can play in the game on 28th. Moriyasu has been calling up players without considering injuries and condition, but I really want him to stop it. pic.twitter.com/PMlgd79aIc
— Yatao (@yataoda4) March 25, 2023
As Japan games are only freindlys he should have been back in Scotland after he missed the first game.