Kyogo Furuhashi absence explained as Celtic star missing for Japan while boss throws down World Cup gauntlet

Japan boss Hajime Moriyasu has challenged the player's who missed out on the win over America to make their case for a spot in the World Cup squad.

The Samurai Blue cruised to a 2-0 win in Dusseldorf as they continued their preparations for Qatar 2022 with the game boasting a host of Scottish Premiership stars, with Celtic's Daizen Maeda leading the line for Japan before being replaced at the break. Kyogo was in the match day squad but failed for come off the bench, while Reo Hatate was one of three players who didn't make the cut for the game. Rangers' Malik Tillman was included for the USA as he made an appearance off the bench.

Kyogo was a surprise absentee for the game with teammate Maeda preferred as the lone frontman having mainly been deployed as a winger so far by Ange Postecoglou this term. However, Moriyasu believes his shake up of the squad will challenge players to show the intensity needed to make grasp their chance when it comes.

Speaking after the game, the Japan boss said: "The players remained organised in their way of playing in anticipation of the World Cup. They prepared well, and worked hard for this match against the United States.

“It’s important to win, of course, but it’s about a competition. There is always a competition for the squad.

"It's not just about the World Cup, but it's happening, so I think the players naturally understand it. I want to see positively that there are so many good players.

“However, we have to play with high intensity, so we need to use the substitution quotas so that we can win firmly. We won’t win with just 11 players, but we will win with the substitution quotas and the bench as well. Today, the players did it.”

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