Celtic pair Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate start on the bench this morning as Japan take on Australia in World Cup qualifying.

Both were amongst the substitutes for Thursday’s clash with Saudi Arabia in Jeddah, with Maeda playing the last half hour in the 2-0 win.


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Hatate, however, last played for Japan in June in a 5-0 victory over Myanmar but has since been snubbed by manager Hajime Moriyasu despite being named in all his squads.

The 26-year-old was not even included as a substitute for last month’s wins against China and Bahrain despite travelling with the squad.