Ally McCoist has criticised Celtic attacker Daizen Maeda during Japan’s shock 2-1 win over Germany on ITV Sport during his role as co-commentator – with Maeda having a goal disallowed early on, with the scoreline reading 0-0.
Maeda, 25, was one of Celtic’s five Japan players to be called-up to the World Cup squad. Regulars Kyogo Furuhashi and Reo Hatate, outcast Yosuke Ideguchi and new signing Yuki Kobayashi were all overlooked. Maeda was included.
That is despite the Celtic man being outshone by Kyogo and showing some indifferent form in a Celtic shirt. In 44 games for the Hoops, he has only managed 12 goals – completely overshadowed by Kyogo’s 31 goals in 53 games.
However, Maeda got a start for Japan and lasted 57 minutes against Japan. His side came from behind to beat the Germans in one of the most-surprising results of the competition so far. Ilkay Gundogan gave Germany the lead.
But goals from Ritsu Doan and then Takuma Asano scored eight minutes apart inside the last sixth of the match. But it could have been an early lead for Japan – Maeda seeing his effort chalked off for offside on eight minutes.
McCoist, on co-comms, was critical: “Do you know something, he doesn’t need to go ahead of the ball. Gundogan will be absolutely delighted. The one thing about this Japan side is that they will be on you like a rash.
“From defence, to midfield, to the front man, they’ll be on you. It’s a great delivery, but he doesn’t need to go. If he just holds it. Clearly offside and there’s a warning, if ever Germany needed one,” McCoist said, during ITV Sport’s coverage.
McCoist criticises Celtic attacker Maeda during Japan win
It was eager from Maeda. He went too early, with the spectacle and the potential of his name on the backpages getting the best of him. Had he been thinking clearly, or had it been a game for Celtic, he may have been more clever.
The question mark remains. How has Maeda got into the Japan squad and started, while Kyogo will be watching his teammate from afar? It seems a strange decision by the Japan boss – but he can hardly be criticised, after the 2-1 win.
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