Daizen Maeda has wished Celtic team-mate Josip Juranovic well after the two embraced at the end of their World Cup round of 16 clash.

Japan were defeated 3-1 on penalties by Croatia, who now go on to play Brazil in the quarter-finals of the tournament.

The 25-year-old forward scored for the Samurai Blue in the first half of the match but his goal was cancelled out by an equaliser by the 2018 finalists in the second 45 minutes.

Extra time could not separate the two teams, so the fixture was decided by a shootout.

Ultimately Juranovic's side progressed, and at the final whistle, the two shared an emotional moment.

They are good friends off the pitch and that was clear to see as the right-back comforted his fellow Parkhead player.

Maeda has since taken to social media to wish the Croat all the best in the next round.

He posted: " Good luck Jura. See you back in Glasgow."

The former Yokohama F Marinos player has also maintained that his club boss Ange Postecoglou is to be credited with the development of his game.

Speaking to the Japanese outlet Soccer King, he said: “Of course, as a forward, I always want to score goals, but if I do it for the team, the ball will come one day, as coach [Ange Postecoglou] always says at Celtic.

"If you’re doing it for the team, you’ll get a chance, including a spilled ball.

"If I believe in that and run, I think it will come someday.”

The former Yokohama F Marinos player also explained the importance of the team sticking together in their upcoming match and that despite his constant pressing, he does not feel tired.

 “I don’t know if it’s a lot or a little, but I think it’s necessary if it helps the team," he continued.

"I don’t feel like I’m running out of gas like that, so I’m going as far as I can go.

“Even if I’m playing alone, I’ll be left out, so I’m addicted to it because the team is following me, and I think we’re able to play these kinds of matches because we’re playing tactics as a team, we’re challenging, and we’re successful.”

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