Ange Postecoglou has singled out Daizen Maeda for praise after the Japan forward once again caught the eye with his tireless performance at the World Cup.
The former Celtic manager, who signed Maeda for the Hoops in 2022, believes the 28-year-old’s pressing is among the very best in the game and can cause problems for any opponent.
Speaking during STV’s half-time analysis of Japan’s last-16 clash with Brazil in Houston, Postecoglou urged the Japanese side to stick with their aggressive approach after taking a 1-0 lead into the break.
Drawing on Japan’s previous World Cup disappointments against Belgium in 2018 and Croatia in 2022, he warned against dropping too deep and insisted maintaining their intensity would give Brazil plenty to think about.
Postecoglou said via The Herald: “This is the bit that is going to be crucial now, don’t sit back. Japan have been in this position before. 2018 against Belgium 2-0 up, Croatia 2022 1-0 up.
“If they press at the right times like this they will make it very difficult for Brazil. You can’t do it for 45 minutes at that tempo but I’ve coached Maeda and I’ve said it before, this guy is absolutely world class at this.
“It may seem like a small thing but his pressing ability… just watch him close down space. He takes a touch and before you know it he’s on the ball. If they can keep that intensity up at different moments and regulate it, they’re going to make it awfully hard.”
Maeda has impressed throughout the tournament and booked Japan’s place in the knockout stages with the goal in last week’s 1-1 draw against Sweden.
Japan went onto lose the game 2-1 after Brazil’s Gabriel Martinelli scored in stoppage time.
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