CELTIC forward Daizen Maeda has withdrawn from Japan's squad for the Asian nation's upcoming World Cup qualifiers later this month.
Maeda and Parkhead team-mate Reo Hatate had both been included in the team for fixtures with Australia and Vietnam but the 24-year-old has decided to stay in Glasgow for the international break.
Japan Times reporter Dan Orlowitz revealed on Twitter on Monday morning that Maeda - who played the full 90 minutes in Celtic's 4-0 win over Ross County on Saturday - has had to pull out of the squad due to 'fitness issues'.
He wrote: "JUST IN: The JFA announces that Daizen Maeda has withdrawn from the Japan squad for fitness/condition reasons.
JUST IN: The JFA announces that Daizen Maeda has withdrawn from the Japan squad for fitness/condition reasons. No replacement planned.
— Dan Orlowitz (@aishiterutokyo) March 21, 2022
"No replacement planned."
Maeda featured for Japan during the previous international break, coming off the bench for the last 20 minutes or so in matches with China and Saudi Arabia.
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