Former Cambodia Coach Keisuke Honda Makes a Surprise Return to the Pitch in AFC Cup Match
Keisuke Honda, the former head coach of the Cambodian national football team, has made a surprising move by signing with Paro FC, a club in Bhutan’s top-tier league. Today, Honda will make his debut for the team in a highly anticipated match.
This match is a qualifier for the AFC Cup, where Paro FC will face off against Church Boys from Nepal. Interestingly, Honda’s contract with Paro FC is valid for just this one match, making it one of the most unusual contracts in football. However, if Honda performs well and helps Paro advance, there is a strong possibility that his contract could be extended.
At 38 years old, this appearance marks Honda’s first professional match in 1,013 days. Throughout his illustrious career, Honda represented Japan in three consecutive World Cups from 2010 to 2018, playing a crucial role in helping his nation reach the Round of 16 twice. He also scored and assisted in all three World Cup tournaments he participated in.
After retiring from international football, Honda continued his journey by exploring football in less familiar regions. He had a brief stint with Lithuanian club FK Sūduva, where he made six appearances and scored one goal. Following that, he took on the role of head coach for the Cambodian national team. After more than a year away from football since his departure in the summer of 2023, Honda is now set to return to the sport.
The news of Keisuke Honda’s involvement with Paro FC has been met with great enthusiasm by the club’s management. They see it as a significant opportunity for both Paro FC and Bhutanese football to gain international recognition.
“Paro FC is thrilled to announce the exciting addition of Keisuke Honda, a Japanese star, who will join us in the upcoming AFC Challenge Cup playoff round,” Paro FC stated.
“Honda’s presence symbolizes our ambition to compete at the highest level. Having a player of Honda’s caliber is not only a great honor but also a vital opportunity for the development of football in Bhutan.”
