Japan legend Honda sparks amusement with odd comments during Netherlands match

Former Japan star Keisuke Honda drew attention overnight, between Sunday and Monday, while appearing as part of Japanese television’s broadcast team for the match against the Netherlands. Honda, who enjoyed a major career with Milan and CSKA Moscow and made 98 appearances for Japan across all competitions, with 37 goals and 23 assists, offered a string of unusual remarks on air.

He first asked which club Denzel Dumfries plays for and then wanted to know the name of the Netherlands’ No. 11. After being told it was Cody Gakpo, Honda reacted to the forward’s size and position, saying, “A winger who is 1.93 meters tall? Does such a thing exist?!” He then added, “Even the toilets in the Netherlands are very tall.”

Honda also joked, “Watching the World Cup is more tiring than playing in it,” and added, “Have 40 minutes already passed here? Did something happen? I totally missed it, I just didn’t see.”

The match itself ended 2-2 after Japan came back twice from behind in the second half, including a leveling goal by Daichi Kamada in the 89th minute. The Netherlands will next face Sweden on Saturday in Group E, while Japan plays Tunisia on Sunday.