GLASGOW, Scotland (Kyodo) — Kyogo Furuhashi scored Celtic’s second goal and was a constant threat in his team’s 5-1 European Champions League win over Slovan Bratislava on Wednesday, with Japanese compatriot Daizen Maeda also getting on the scoresheet in the league phase matchup.
With his team leading 1-0 after Liam Scales headed in the opener from a 17th-minute corner, Furuhashi forced a good save in the first half before deflecting a square ball into the goal with his thigh two minutes after the break at Celtic Park.
A blistering shot from Furuhashi led to a tussle for the rebound and a penalty kick that Celtic’s Arne Engels converted in the 56th minute.
The visitors pulled one back five minutes later but late goals from Maeda, his first in the Champions League, and Adam Idah wrapped up the one-sided result. Maeda’s strike was set up by a pair of sharp passes from Furuhashi and compatriot Reo Hatate.
“I trapped the ball well, and without really looking at the keeper, I just shot on instinct,” Maeda said. “As a team, we have big ambitions this season, and I want to contribute however I can, whether that be with goals, assists, or just by running.”
Football: Kyogo Furuhashi, Daizen Maeda score in Celtic’s CL-opening win
