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Japan’s Honda scores in Botafogo debut
RIO DE JANEIRO, March 16, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Japanese midfielder Keisuke
Honda scored in his debut for Brazilian club Botafogo Sunday, a 1-1 draw
against Bangu played in an empty stadium because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Honda, 33, got a hero’s welcome from thousands of fans when he arrived in
Brazil on February 7, but played his first match in the eery quiet of
Botafogo’s deserted stadium. He was photographed training ahead of the Rio
Cup tie with a mask on.
It may be his last match for some time: the Brazilian Football
Confederation (CBF) has suspended the season until further notice because of
the pandemic, effective Monday.
Wearing the number four jersey, Honda scored on a penalty kick in the 28th
minute.
But Bangu equalized in the 58th.
Coach Paulo Autuori substituted Honda four minutes later.
Honda, one of the best players in Japanese football history, had been
without a club since leaving Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem in December, less than
two months after joining.
Since arriving in Brazil, he has tweeted about hitting Rio de Janeiro’s
legendary beaches and studying Portuguese.
Botafogo are looking for a boost after finishing 15th in the Brazilian
league last season, barely avoiding relegation. Formerly of AC Milan and CSKA
Moscow, Honda has stood out for the Japan national team, scoring 37 goals in
98 appearances, including four World Cup goals.
In 2018 he became the first Japanese player to score in three World Cups.
His contract with Botafogo runs until the end of the year.
BSS/AFP/FI/ 0830 hrs