Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Phnom Penh: Japan star Keisuke Honda has been appointed as the general manager and coach of the Cambodia national team.
Football Federation of Cambodia President General Sao Sokha, in announcing Honda's signing on Sunday, said the Melbourne Victory player will help chart the national team's fortunes in the 2018 AFF Cup.
Honda's appointment comes just days after he signed with reigning A-League champions Melbourne Victory for the 2018-19 season.
Media reports stated that Honda will continue his playing career in the A-League but will assist Cambodia’s coaching staff through weekly video calls.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Sydney: Japanese star Keisuke Honda has signed for reigning A-League champions Melbourne Victory with the former AC Milan striker calling it the best club in Australia.
Honda, who retired from international football after Japan's heartbreaking 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia exit in a last-gasp defeat to Belgium, put pen to paper for the 2018/19 season.
"It goes without saying that Keisuke has consistently proven himself at the highest level and we can't wait to see what he can do in Melbourne," said Victory head coach Kevin Muscat.
The talismanic 32-year-old, one of the highest profile names in Asian football, had been a free agent since departing Mexican club Pachuca.
"I am so happy to join the Melbourne Victory. I knew they were interested in me one week after the World Cup," he told Fox Sports.
"I really like a new challenge, that's me. I checked a couple of things. Melbourne Victory is the most successful club in the A-League. That's amazing. They became champs many times," he added.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: There was success, disappointment and lessons learned as the five Asian teams concluded their 2018 FIFA World Cup campaigns. They will all now turn their attention to AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 with a continental crown up for grabs.
Coach Vahid Halilhodzic's departure from the Japan helm shortly before the World Cup might not have seemed the ideal preparation for Russia 2018 with Akira Nishino stepping into the breach in a temporary role.
Nevertheless, Japan's campaign in Russia proved to be the highlight of Asia's representatives, as they repeated their efforts of 2002 and 2010 in reaching the Round of 16 - the only side from the continent to do so at Russia 2018 - before bowing out bravely to eventual third-placed side Belgium.
A high level of performances all-around at the World Cup was unquestionably a boost ahead of UAE 2019, but can the next generation step up to replace the outgoing veterans?
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Rostov-on-Don: Keisuke Honda expects Monday’s heartbreaking 2018 FIFA World Cup loss to Belgium to be his last appearance for Japan but he exits the international stage with confidence the country’s young players can take the nation forward in the future.
Honda came off the bench with the scores level at 2-2 as Japan threw away a two-goal advantage before Nacer Chadli’s last-gasp strike took Roberto Martinez’s side into the quarter-finals and leave the Japanese frustrated yet again.
This was the third time Japan have exited the competition at the Round of 16 having lost to Turkey in 2002 and Paraguay in South Africa in 2010, a game in which Honda played as the Samurai Blue were knocked out in a penalty shootout.