The odyssey continues! Keisuke Honda makes debut in 11th country at 40
Japanese football icon Keisuke Honda has made his official debut for FC Jurong at age 40, marking his professional appearance in an 11th different country.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Author: Orixbaseballclub
Keisuke Honda has extended his extraordinary globe-trotting career by making his official debut for Singapore Premier League side FC Jurong. The 40-year-old midfielder came on as an 82nd-minute substitute during a 3-0 victory over Hougang United at the Jurong East Stadium.
Wearing his signature number four jersey, the veteran entered the pitch to a massive ovation from the home support. Singapore represents the 11th country in which Honda has played professionally throughout his storied career.
Despite his limited time on the pitch, Honda made an instant impression. In the 87th minute, his relentless pressing forced a hurried clearance from the opposition goalkeeper, and deep into stoppage time, he threaded a precise through ball for Mizuki Ando, only for the effort to be disallowed for offside.
The debut rounded off a comfortable evening for FC Jurong, who secured their second consecutive league win. Takuma Yamaguchi opened the scoring, followed by goals from Haziq Kamarudin and substitute Ando. Hougang finished the match with ten men following a straight red card for Zulqarnaen Suzliman.
Honda's journey has spanned continents, including spells in Japan, the Netherlands, Russia, Italy, Mexico, Australia, Brazil, Azerbaijan, Lithuania, and Bhutan. Beyond playing, he previously served as general manager of the Cambodia national team.