Japan boss Hajime Moriyasu has praised Celtic star Daizen Maeda's outstanding season and pinpointed him as one of their key men at next year's World Cup.
Maeda was named the PFA Scotland player of the year after netting 33 goals and providing 12 assists as he helped the Hoops retain the title.
He also contributed to Japan becoming the first team to qualify for the World Cup in USA, Canada and Mexico next year.
And Moriyasu has paid tribute to his efforts this season.
He said: "We now have many players in the squad who can score goals for us.
"Daizen Maeda has shown that particular quality many times this season. He has outstanding physical fitness and superb skills.
"But more importantly, he has an extremely high football IQ, is good at thinking, and has a deep understanding of the game.
"He can not only score goals, but he links the entire team with his all-round play.
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"Japanese football is facing a happy problem nowadays. We have more and more world-class players, which is certainly a good thing, but as a coach, every time I choose players, I feel like I have to make choices. We actually have the depth now to choose two good teams.
"Sometimes, I have to make painful decisions. But at this stage, we still need to keep improving.
"I believe if we can get the whole country behind us at the next World Cup and with the players we have in the squad, we have a chance of lifting the World Cup trophy."
