How Celtic duo Kyogo and Reo Hatate reacted to World Cup snub

Most people had expected Celtic duo, Kyogo Furuhashi and Reo Hatate, to be on the Japan national team’s plane to Qatar, while there were question marks over whether Daizen Maeda would be picked or not, following his uninspiring start to the campaign. Somehow though, the opposite has come true.

Kyogo and Hatate were left out of the Japan national team’s World Cup squad, while Daizen was picked to represent his nation at football’s biggest stage.

Of course, Kyogo has been a bit off colour lately, but overall, he has been one of Celtic’s best players ever since arriving in Scotland. On the other hand, Hatate has shown what he is capable since joining the Hoops and produced some big moments as well. It is Daizen who has been disappointing in recent times.

It looks like Kyogo and Hatate have not taken the World Cup snub very hard though. As reported by the Daily Record, Matt O’Riley said regarding the reaction of his teammates:

"“Kyogo was still in really good spirits in training and Reo was himself as well, so that’s a good thing. Of course we are all happy for Daizen as well. Naturally, I was a bit surprised it was only Daizen because I feel all three have performed at a really high level. I’m sure they will naturally be disappointed, but, again, football is a crazy game and these things happen.”"

Reaction of Celtic duo to being left out of Japan’s World Cup squad

It is the dream of every player to represent his or her country at the World Cup. So it goes without saying that this would come as a blow for both Kyogo and Hatate.

One would only hope that the duo are not left too disappointed by the matter and take it as a chance to improve their games further, and show the Japan national team boss that he made a mistake by not picking them in the squad.

For Celtic, this is not the worst thing in the world at all as it allows them to have a fresh Kyogo and Hatate after the World Cup break. Also, there will not be the fear of them picking up an injury at the tournament in Qatar.