Kyogo Furuhashi Returns to Japan National Team

Kyogo Furuhashi, the Celtic forward, marked his return to the Japan national team during their decisive 3-1 victory over China in a World Cup qualifying match. Furuhashi began the game in Xiamen as a substitute, alongside fellow Celtic players Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate. He was introduced into the match in the 77th minute, earning his first international appearance in more than a year. Maeda, also a forward, entered the game later, but Hatate, who had played his first international game since June in Friday’s win against Indonesia, did not participate. Japan maintains its leading position in Group C, positioning the team strongly for qualification to the 2026 finals scheduled to be held in Canada, Mexico, and the USA. Although the Japanese trio did not score, Luis Palma of Celtic emerged as the standout performer for Honduras in their Concacaf Nations League quarter-final first leg encounter with Mexico. Palma, a winger, netted both goals for Honduras, securing a 2-0 victory on Friday.