Keisuke Honda Debuts for FC Jurong in Singapore Premier League Win
Keisuke Honda has made his competitive debut for FC Jurong, appearing late in a 3-0 Singapore Premier League win over Hougang United at Jurong East Stadium.
Honda enters as FC Jurong make it two wins from two
The 40-year-old Japanese midfielder was introduced in the 82nd minute, replacing fellow Japanese player Yuma Tsuzurabara on the right side. Wearing his familiar No. 4 shirt, Honda received a loud welcome from the home crowd.
His arrival capped a second straight league victory for FC Jurong, who have begun the campaign with a perfect record.
- Takuma Yamaguchi scored FC Jurong’s first goal.
- Haziq Kamarudin added another before the break in the scoring.
- Substitute Mizuki Ando completed the 3-0 result.
- Hougang United finished with 10 players after Zulqarnaen Suzliman was sent off directly.
Late impact from the veteran midfielder
Honda had only a brief spell on the pitch but was quickly involved. In the 87th minute, his pressure forced Hougang goalkeeper Takahiro Koga into a rushed clearance.
He then produced a sharp pass in added time to release Ando, who finished the move, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Honda had previously been giving directions from the sideline during FC Jurong’s opening fixture. His first playing appearance showed he is ready to contribute on the field as well as around the squad.
Singapore becomes Honda’s 11th professional destination
FC Jurong is Honda’s latest club after he signed for the 2026–27 season, following a 2024 spell with Bhutan’s Paro FC.
Singapore is the 11th country of his professional career. Honda began at Nagoya Grampus in Japan and has also played in the Netherlands, Russia, Italy, Mexico, Australia, Brazil, Azerbaijan, Lithuania and Bhutan.
The former Japan international, who won 90 caps, combined his playing career with a role as Cambodia national team’s general manager from 2018 until 2023.
What happens next
FC Jurong will now aim to preserve their unbeaten start while Honda builds match fitness and further settles into the team. His first appearance offered an immediate glimpse of the pressing and passing quality the veteran can bring to their campaign.
