Golden oldie Honda to the rescue again

IT IS eight years since Keisuke Honda emerged as the golden boy of Japanese football at the World Cup in South Africa. There are a few more miles on the clock these days, a little wear and tear. But twice at these finals Honda has climbed off the bench with his team in need of a goal, and twice the 32-year-old has delivered. Having provided the assist for Yuya Osako to head Japan’s winner against Colombia in their opening game, Honda slotted a late equaliser yesterday to keep them and Senegal level at the top of Group H. England could meet one of these sides in the last 16 but Gareth Southgate is unlikely to be quaking in his boots. Eiji Kawashima and Khadim N’Diaye are two of the worst goalkeepers at this World Cup. Senegal went ahead in the 11th minute when Youssouf Sabaly tested Kawashima from 15 yards. It looked a simple enough catch, but the keeper decided to punch it. Sadio Mane was right in front of him and it rebounded off the Liverpool striker’s knee and over the line. Takashi Inui equalised before half-time with a fine effort around the huge frame of Kalidou Koulibaly and beyond N’Diaye. Japan were the better team in the second half but were punished by a second Senegal goal in the 71st minute when 19-year-old Moussa Wague rifled a shot into the roof of the net. But Honda earned a point for Japan. N’Diaye missed Osako’s cross under pressure from Shinji Okazaki and the ball ran through to Inui, who squared a pass for Honda to score in an unguarded net. JAPAN (4-2-3-1): Kawashima 5; H Sakai 6, Yoshida 6.5, Shoji 5.5, Nagatomo 6.5; Hasebe 6.5, Shibasaki 6; Haraguchi 5.5 (Okazaki 75, 7), Kagawa 7 (Honda 72, 7), Inui 7.5 (Usami 87); Osako 6. Scorers: Inui 34, Honda 78. Booked: Inui, Hasebe. Manager: Akira Nishino 6. SENEGAL (4-3-3): K N’Diaye 5; Wague 6.5, Sane 6, Koulibaly 7, Sabaly 7; B Ndiaye 6 (N’Doye 81), A N’Diaye 6 (Kouyate 65, 6), Gueye 7; Sarr 6.5, Niang 7 (Diouf 86), MANE 8. Scorers: Mane 11, Wague 71. Booked: Niang, N’Doye, Sabaly. Manager: Aliou Cisse 6. Referee: Gianluca Rocchi (Italy) 7. Attendance: 32,572.