Celtic Glasgow midfielder Reo Hatate has started for his Japanese national team against Indonesia, this Wednesday, in the third round of the AFC Asian Cup group stage.
Hatate can be an interesting profile for several Saudi Professional League teams in the midfield. He is surely someone to keep an eye on.
Hatate has distinguished his performance in this game with his high work rate in the middle of the park and more advanced areas, either defensively and offensively.
He was often present to play the third man role to link up between the his teammates.
When he found spaces in front of him, he was able to start counters via progressive carries quickly to offensive zones thanks to his acceleration and physical strength.
He was bringing numerical superiority with his left-winger Nakamura against the opposing right-back, which was creating for him crossing chances that he did not take use from, playing the cross near the goalkeeper.
In defensive transitions, he is not slow but not very fast either, but he was smart enough in the game to make the tactical foul to stop the counter without getting the yellow card, or impose himself in the physical duel to block the opposing player from making the turn and outrace him.
When receiving the pass, one touch could be enough for him to turn and start the run, but he is not agile or speedy enough to follow quickly which gives the opposing player some extra fraction of seconds to make the cover.
In one the offensive transitions, he knew how to temporize, provoke the opposing player to press, free the passing option for Nakamura and play the pass towards him to start a very dangerous counter-attack for his country.
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Image Credits: @SPL & @SPL_EN on X.
Saudi World Football 
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