Keisuke Honda comes full circle in Japan return

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Keisuke Honda comes full circle in Japan return

Hiroshima: Over 11 years since leaving first side Nagoya Grampus, one of Asia’s most recognisable footballing exports, Japan star Keisuke Honda, returns to his country of birth to play a competitive club football match when Melbourne Victory are hosted by J.League side Sanfrecce Hiroshima in Tuesday’s AFC Champions League Group F tie at Hiroshima Athletic Stadium. 

The 32-year-old, who has played across Europe and Central America since leaving his native land, has in that time also earned over 90 international caps, played at three FIFA World Cups and won the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, where he was also named MVP of the tournament.

We take a look back at the Samurai Blue icon's career ahead of to his homecoming to learn more about his football journey in the slideshow above.

Photos: Getty Images

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/photo/keisuke_hondas_football_journey.html

Keisuke Honda's football journey

Preview - Group F: Sanfrecce Hiroshima (JPN) v Melbourne Victory (AUS)

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Preview - Group F: Sanfrecce Hiroshima (JPN) v Melbourne Victory (AUS)

Hiroshima: Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Melbourne Victory will look to bounce back from opening-day defeats in Group F of the 2019 AFC Champions League when they clash at Hiroshima Athletic Stadium on Tuesday.

Sanfrecce’s first game in the competition since 2016 resulted in a disappointing 2-0 defeat against two-time winners Guangzhou Evergrande last week, but they responded well by posting a 1-0 victory over Cerezo Osaka in the J.League on Saturday.

Although they have never faced Melbourne in the competition, they have hosted Australian opposition on three occasions and have recorded a victory each time, with the most recent being a 3-1 win over eventual champions Western Sydney Wanderers in 2014.

Matchday Two: East Zone Preview

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Matchday Two: East Zone Preview

Kuala Lumpur: The second round of 2019 AFC Champions League group stage fixtures comes hot on the heels of the opening set of games, with the 16 teams in the East Zone to take to the field once more in the coming week. 

The eight sides in Groups E and F will get things underway when they return to action on Tuesday, before the remaining eight teams in Groups G and H follow suit a day later.

Matchday Two: 5 things to look out for

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Matchday Two: 5 things to look out for

Kuala Lumpur: After a pulsating opening round of 2019 AFC Champions League fixtures last week, the second set of games will take place in the coming days as Asia’s premier club competition gets into full swing. 

With AFC Champions League firsts, a returning star and an intriguing match-up all part of this week’s action, the-AFC.com has picked out five things to look out for on Matchday Two.