Celtic legends combine as Daizen Maeda fires Japan to shootout victory
The friendly in Yokohama finished goalless before heading straight to penalties, with Nakamura taking a leading role in deciding Japan’s shootout order.
The former Celtic midfielder joined the national team’s coaching staff earlier this year and, unsurprisingly given his reputation as one of the finest set-piece specialists of his generation, has been handed significant responsibility in that area.
Nakamura selected Maeda to take Japan’s fifth penalty and the decision paid off.
With each of Japan’s first four takers converting, the former Celtic attacker had the opportunity to seal victory at a stadium he previously called home.
Maeda showed composure, firing his penalty high into the net before being mobbed by his teammates as Japan secured a third consecutive victory during their run of friendlies against South American opposition.
It was also another notable shootout moment involving Maeda following his time at Celtic.
He never took a penalty during normal time for the Hoops but stepped up twice in shootouts. Most memorably, Maeda converted against Rangers in the 2024 Premier Sports Cup final, sliding his effort beyond Jack Butland as Celtic lifted the trophy.
His other attempt produced a far less enjoyable outcome when his penalty was saved during Celtic’s Champions League play-off shootout defeat to Kairat.
