Keisuke Honda sat on the bench for 72 minutes, knowing a goal would make him the first Japanese player to score at three World Cups. Six minutes later, it was a done deal. The former AC Milan forward scored in the 78th minute, knocking the ball past two defenders standing…
Keisuke Honda sat on the bench for 72 minutes, knowing a goal would make him the first Japanese player to score at three World Cups.
Six minutes later, it was a done deal.
The former AC Milan forward scored in the 78th minute, knocking the ball past two defenders standing on the goal line, to give Japan a 2-2 draw with Senegal on Sunday at the World Cup.
The 32-year-old Honda also scored at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups. He has 37 international goals in his career.
« I believe I used substitutions very well in looking back, » said Japan coach Akira Nishino, who took over shortly before the tournament started. « Honda was moved from center to the wide side and he was very versatile at adapting to that position.
« We really wanted to win, we wanted to equalize and also take the lead even though there was only a short period of time left. »
The draw keeps both teams at the top of Group H ahead of their final matches. Japan will next face Poland in Volgograd on Thursday while Senegal faces Colombia in Samara.
