Daizen Maeda is relishing the opportunity to go up against Dutch star Denzel Dumfries in his nation’s World Cup opener…
The Japanese attacker will face off against the Real Madrid-bound full-back this weekend, when Japan face the Netherlands in their first Group F fixture over in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
The Celtic player endured a somewhat difficult campaign in the Hoops, along with his teammates.
After another summer of discontent under Brendan Rodgers, the Irishman decided to leave the club through mutual consent, before Dermot Desmond publicly castigated him for the club’s failings over the summer transfer window and performances on the park.
Martin O’Neill then steadied the ship
Martin O’Neill then steadied the ship, before our invisible CEO supposedly put Wilfred Nancy in situ. That particular chaos didn’t last too long, thankfully, when a 3-1 defeat to the newest Ibrox entity saw him given his P45.
In stepped Saint Martin once more to regain control, and lo and behold, the former Treble winner guided the club through choppy waters and onwards to a Scottish Premiership crown, with another Scottish Cup thrown in for good measure.
Daizen Maeda set for summer exit from CelticÂ
Daizen Maeda, who O’Neill asserted had earned the right to move on his own terms this summer, will no doubt have played his last match for the club during that Scottish Cup victory over Dunfermline at Hampden Park.
It will be a sad day if and when he goes, although the Japanese Samurai will have other things on his mind first of all. Japan were drawn with the Netherlands, Benjamin Nygren’s Sweden and Sebastian Tounetki’s Tunisia in this year’s tournament.
“I hope I can play in that role,” Daizen MaedaÂ
Speaking to media in his homeland, as reported via Daily Record, Maeda said: “If I go into the aerial duel in a normal way, I won’t win. So I will try out various tactics.
“I can try to get in front of him or let another player take the aerial duel while I cut inside. I don’t know if I will play as a wingback or not, that is up to Hajime Moriyasu.
“But there are many players who can play as a shadow striker and have goal scoring ability, so I hope I can play in that role. I think I can stop him (Dumfries) with my speed.”
Best of luck at the World Cup Daizen, the entire Celtic family will be cheering you on!
Paul Gillespie
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