KYOGO FURUHASHI and Reo Hatate have seen their Japanese exile come to an end with their joint call-up to the international squad.
The prolific striker, who has fired in 31 goals this season, and the gifted midfielder were both snubbed by head coach Hajime Moriyasu’s World Cup Finals squad in Qatar during the winter.
Team-mate Daizen Maeda, though, had been given the nod to perform in the soccer showpiece while Kyogo and Hatate remained at home. But the team boss has reviewed the situation and opened the door for Kyogo and Hatate, according to a report in the Daily Record.
JOY BHOY…Reo Hatate celebrates after his penalty-kick goal against Hibs.
Now all three will be involved in the Kirin Cup with games due against El Salvador on June 15 and Peru five days later, with both ties in Japan.
Unfortunately, there is no place for Tomoki Iwata and Yuki Kobayashi who joined the Far East contingent in the east end of Glasgow at the turn of the year.
The versatile midfield ace, the J-League Player of the Year last season, and the 22-year-old left-sided centre-back are still settling into life with the champions.
All five played in the 4-2 loss to Hibs at Easter Road last with fluctuating fortunes. Hatate scored from the penalty spot, Maeda was red-carded in the second-half and Kyogo didn’t have time to make an impact as a late substitute for Oh Hyeon-gyu.
Kobayashi lasted the entire game, but Iwata was replaced by Matt O’Riley in the 65th minute.
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