“He did a good job today,” Hajime Moriyasu praises Top Bhoy Daizen Maeda

The Celtic Star

·28 March 2025

“He did a good job today,” Hajime Moriyasu praises Top Bhoy Daizen Maeda

Hajime Moriyasu has commended Celtic’s Daizen Maeda for his display in Japan’s 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia during the week…

Daizen Maeda JPN, MARCH 25, 2025 – Football / Soccer : FIFA World Cup, 2026 Asian Qualifier Final Round Group C match between Japan 0-0 Saudi Arabia at Saitama Stadium 2002, Saitama, Japan. Photo Imago.

The forward featured for 73 minutes in the draw, helping Moriyasu’s Samurai Blues who have already qualified for next summer’s World Cup in Canada, Mexico and USA.

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Maeda created chances in the game

Despite failing to score or assist in the game, the Japan manager was satisfied with Maeda’s contribution. Speaking to Soccer King, he said: “He was able to press from the front and attack vertically and quickly, and he created chances in today’s game.

Football: World Cup qualifier Japan s Daizen Maeda R attempts to score with a header in the second half of a 2026 football World Cup final-round Asian qualifier against Saudi Arabia at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, eastern Japan, on March 25, 2025. Photo Imago

“I think he did a good job today of creating a flow while showing his strengths.”

“Fast vertical attacks will become a necessity, and chasing from the front is something we will have to work on as the level of our opponents increases. I think he did a good job today of creating a flow while showing his strengths.”

Daizen Maeda has earned 23 caps for his native country and most famously netted a goal in a penalty shootout defeat against Croatia at the 2022 World Cup, where his team made it to the round of 16.

Moriyasu’s praise comes as reports suggest the 27-year-old is ‘set’ to be presented with a new contract by Celtic. He has been in excellent form for his club this season, scoring on 28 occasions in 42 appearances across all competitions.

Daizen Maeda JPN, MARCH 25, 2025 – Football / Soccer : FIFA World Cup, 2026 Asian Qualifier Final Round Group C match between Japan and Saudi Arabia at Saitama Stadium 2002, Saitama, Japan. Photo IMAGO

Maeda is the Player of the Year in waiting

A definite contender, indeed a strong favourite for Player of the Year, Maeda has excelled whether playing on the left wing or in a central role since the departure of Kyogo Furuhashi to French side Rennes in January.

Recently discussing Maeda’s form, Brendan Rodgers remarked: “If you’re scoring goals like he has, working as hard as he does, then of course that will always bring attention.

“Daizen is a great symbol for our team,” Brendan Rodgers

“Daizen is a great symbol for our team and the collective, he brings the highest level of intensity we want. He is deserving of everything he’s getting so far, and he’s developing as a football player.”

The best news of the international break was related to Celtic preparing a new contract for Daizen Maeda who is perfectly happy at the club despite conveniently misleading reports that seemed to get conveniently lost in translation for the red tops.

Conor Spence

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