KYOGO FURUHASHI extended his worrying goalless sequence to seven games with his shot-shy performance in the dismal 2-0 failure against Hearts at Parkhead yesterday.
The Japanese international striker went into the encounter after firing blanks in outings against Motherwell, Lazio, St Johnstone, Hibs, Kilmarnock and Feyenoord, as CQN pointed ou, before another duck egg against the Tynecastle club.
It’s clear Kyogo is devoid of the confidence that heralded his arrival on these shores from Vissel Kobe in July 2021 with the force of a whirlwind as he set about demolishing opponents with his searing pace, lightning reflexes and pulverising finishing.
PASS MASTER…Luis Palma dinks in a superb right-foot cross with Kyogo Furuhashi ready to pounce.
OOPS…Kyogo mistimes his touch as static Zander Clark fears the worst.
NET LOSS…Kyogo grabs the post as the chance is missed.
The player has now gone just three minutes short of eight hours without a goal when you tally his onfield minutes since his last strike in the 16th minute of the 6-0 romp against Aberdeen on November 12.
The frontman’s alarming lack of conviction in front of goal was highlighted just minutes after the turnaround of the loss to the Tynecastle outfit as the champions slumped to appalling back-to-back league setbacks.
With the team urgently requiring an early goal to spark a revival, Luis Palma pitched in a perfect ball from the left. Kyogo was running clear of the opposing defence with just Zander Clark to beat.
The keeper elected to stand on his goal-line and it looked a simple tap-in for the Celt.
MISERY…Kyogo Furuhashi can’t hide his frustration.
Unfortunately, his old penalty-box prowess deserted him when he needed it most, he mistimed his thrust, the ball swept under his foot and bounced away to the relief of the netminder and his team-mates.
Kyogo grasped the left-hand upright for a moment and realised he should have been celebrating his 63rd goal for the club.
Instead, it turned out to be the last post for the 28-year-old forward who missed the target twice later in the game as he toiled to regain his aplomb in front of goal.
Livingston are next up at Parkhead on Saturday. Could they provide the launchpad for Kyogo to go on a scoring spree just like the good old days?
Watch this space!
ALEX’S ANGLE: KYOGO’S MISFIRING 387 MINUTES
