Three Celtic players were in action in Canada’s clash with Japan on Friday. All of Reo Hatate, Kyogo Furuhashi, and Alistair Johnston were involved in the match that the Samurai Blue won by four goals to one.
It was a productive evening for the Japanese national team against Johnston’s Canadian side. The 24-year-old played in the inside right centre-back position in a back five.
In the second half of the match, Japan’s Keito Nakamura looked to get free down the wing although Johnston soon stopped him in his tracks.
It didn’t look as though the treble-winner intended to cause any harm to his opponent, but he clipped him and resultantly, Nakamura had to be stretchered off:
⚽️ Malheureusement lors de ce même match, Keito Nakamura est sorti sur civière suite à un tacle très rugueux d'un joueur canadien. 😰pic.twitter.com/E0TNGmmgwZ
— Reims Média Football (@reimsmediafoot) October 13, 2023
For Johnston and his country, it wasn’t the best evening. Things can only get better for Les Rouges when they play out the CONCACAF Nations League quarter-finals in November, matches in which the right-back will look to add to his 36 caps.
Stomped on both Nakas ankles. One ankle stomp is a mistake. Both ankles studded = right painful.
Why didn’t Aj see red is beyond me?
But that’s Var for you.