Japan legend Honda leaves Cambodia after five years

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Japan football legend Keisuke Honda left his post as Cambodia's general manager on Thursday, after a disappointing Southeast Asian Games on home soil.

1 year ago
Honda, an Asian Cup winner with his country who also played for AC Milan, had previously said he would bring an end to his five-year tenure after the Games. In his swan song, the hosts came third in the five-team group after losses to Indonesia and Myanmar in the men's tournament, which is played by under-22 teams.
"A project in Cambodia that started in 2018 has ended," the 36-year-old former attacking midfielder wrote on Twitter, adding he "wasn't able to finish the last tournament with a satisfying result". The Cambodian football association also said it was "regretful" that Honda's team could not make it past the group stage.
Cambodia's SEA Games run started brightly with a 4-0 win over unfancied Timor-Leste. But a draw against the Philippines and two subsequent defeats meant they would not make the semi-finals. Because he lacked the requisite qualifications, Honda was never listed as official coach, but he led the team and was on the sidelines for matches.
As a player, Honda represented his country 98 times and turned out for clubs in Japan, the Netherlands, Russia, Italy, Mexico, Australia and Brazil.

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