FIFA World Cup 2018: Japan’s Keisuke Honda, Makoto Hasebe Announce International Retirement

Jul 4, 2018 at 3:45 PM

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FIFA World Cup 2018: Japan’s Keisuke Honda, Makoto Hasebe Announce International Retirement

Keisuke Honda and Makoto Hasebe have retired from international football following Japan’s heartbreaking at the FIFA World Cup 2018 exit.

Japan lost to Belgium in the round of 16 despite leading by 2-0 till the 68th minute.

The Blue Samurai-led 2-0 in their Round of 16 fixture with Belgium before the Europeans launched a dramatic comeback to win 3-2. Honda believes the future is bright for Japan and that’s why its the perfect time to call it a day. Honda’s farewell message,

“Today we showed how we can proceed as Japanese football. I am happy, because we have a lot of good young players, and now it is their turn to write the history of Japanese football. 

This is the last World Cup for me. That’s the reality. To be perfectly honest, I wanted to take everyone to the next round, but I couldn’t get the job done. I did everything I could. I did the best I could.”

The 32-year old forward scored 37 goals in his 98 appearances for Japan.

He was used as a substitute in all Japan’s games at what was his third World Cup. The former AC Milan and CSKA Moscow striker now want to make way for the next generation of Japanese players.

Japan captain Hasebe also called time on his international career after 114 appearances. The Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder praised the team-mates who supported him during his career. Hasebe’s farewell message,

“I would like to express my gratitude to my colleagues who fought together for about 12-and-a-half years since 2006, and to all the Japanese people who supported me so much. The time I walked with you is an important treasure for me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Last but not least, I am also a supporter of the national team. Let’s dream about the Japanese national team together.”

Japan will now look ahead to the 2019 Asian Cup, which is being held in the UAE.

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