Celtic ace Kyogo Furuhashi will no doubt have been bitterly disappointed yesterday, after it was revealed that he has been left out of the Japan squad heading to the Fifa World Cup in Qatar in just a few weeks time.
Kyogo by all accounts has not taken his chance to impress Japanese manager Hajime Moriyasu when he has been given the opportunity, but judging by the reaction on social media, it is still a shock for many in Japan that Kyogo will be left at home.
It is not so much of a shock that fellow Celtic midfielder Reo Hatate has also been left out as he has not really been a part of the national team set-up, and I think at only 24 years of age, he is seen more as the choice for the next tournament.
However, one of the four Japanese Celtic stars has been selected for the tournament in Daizen Maeda, with Moriyasu apparently loving his work ethic and dynamism, as well as the fact he can be utilised as a winger or as a striker.
However, Japan football journalist Dan Orlowitz has hinted that all hope is not lost for Kyogo, despite yesterday’s massive setback.
Former Arsenal striker Takuma Asano, who now plays for 17th placed Bundesliga side Bochum, has been one of the strikers called up instead of Kyogo.
The problem with that is, he only has four goals and four assists in 38 games for the German side and has also been out injured since September with a knee injury.
Should Asano not recover in time, Dan believed Kyogo could well be in line for a last-minute call up.
Check out the tweets below.
