The Celtic striker insists he's ready to go for his country today as they aim to become the first nation to qualify for next year's showpiece.
Victory over Bahrain in the Saitama Stadium will see Hajime Moriyasu's side join the USA, Canada and fellow co-hosts Mexico at the finals.
Maeda returned to training with his team mates, having overcome a knock sustained in his goalscoring appearance against Rangers.
His scintillating run has seen him bag 15 goals in his last 14 games for Brendan Rodgers' side.
Now he's got designs on extending it to book a place in the competition.
Asked in his homeland about the reasons for his blistering form, Maeda told Gekisaka: "I don't really know myself!
"When I was scoring at Marinos, I was always scoring - and that's what I'm doing now at Celtic.
"There is one reason but I can't tell you what it is yet. I'll probably be able to tell you in a month or two."
Maeda's total for the term is now 28 and he added: "It's the daily accumulation of what I've done up until now.
"Now that I'm with the national team, I want to score goals and qualify for the World Cup."
Maeda was unable to play the last time Japan clinched a spot three years ago as he said: "I was selected when the last World Cup was decided but I couldn't go.
"I watched it on TV and was happy but also disappointed. Th...
Victory over Bahrain in the Saitama Stadium will see Hajime Moriyasu's side join the USA, Canada and fellow co-hosts Mexico at the finals.
Maeda returned to training with his team mates, having overcome a knock sustained in his goalscoring appearance against Rangers.
His scintillating run has seen him bag 15 goals in his last 14 games for Brendan Rodgers' side.
Now he's got designs on extending it to book a place in the competition.
Asked in his homeland about the reasons for his blistering form, Maeda told Gekisaka: "I don't really know myself!
"When I was scoring at Marinos, I was always scoring - and that's what I'm doing now at Celtic.
"There is one reason but I can't tell you what it is yet. I'll probably be able to tell you in a month or two."
Maeda's total for the term is now 28 and he added: "It's the daily accumulation of what I've done up until now.
"Now that I'm with the national team, I want to score goals and qualify for the World Cup."
Maeda was unable to play the last time Japan clinched a spot three years ago as he said: "I was selected when the last World Cup was decided but I couldn't go.
"I watched it on TV and was happy but also disappointed. Th...
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Daily Record (Digital) - 1 Issue, March 20, 2025