Samurai blue honda biography examples

Japan lost 3-2 on Tuesday morning (AEST) after leading 2-0 at start of the second half and conceding the decisive goal in the last minute of stoppage time.

Honda was well known to local football fans, having spent four seasons with CSKA Moscow.

“I am concluding my career in the national team," Honda said post-match, ending his inaternational career two games shy of 100.

"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."

Known for his quick and creative play, Honda made his debut for the national team in 2008 and scored 37 goals.

The 32-year-old scored a goal against Senegal in their group H encounter and is the only Asian player  to provide a goal and an assist in the last three World Cups.

He currently plays for Pachuca in the Mexican top flight, and made 81 appearances for Milan between 2014-2017.

Men's association football team

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Japan women's national football team.

The Japan national football team (サッカー日本代表, Sakkā Nihon Daihyō or Sakkā Nippon Daihyō), also known by the nickname Samurai Blue (サムライ・ブルー, Samurai Burū), represents Japan in men's international football. It is controlled by the Japan Football Association (JFA), the governing body for football in Japan.

Until the end of the 1980s, Japan was a small and amateur team. For a long time, football was less popular than baseball and sumo. Since the early 1990s, when Japanese football became fully professionalized, Japan has emerged as one of the most successful teams in Asia; they have qualified for every FIFA World Cup

Football in Japan has grown considerably over the past 25 years, with the beautiful game capturing the imagination of larger portions of their 125-million population.

The likes of Shinji Okazaki, Keisuke Honda and Shinji Kagawa have all sported the blue jersey over the past three decades, representing the nation on the world stage. Samurai Blue famously co-hosted the 2002 World Cup with South Korea, in what was their sophomore appearance in the competition.

Where did their 'Samurai Blue' nickname come from, though? And why is it that they wear the colour blue? GOAL brings you the answers to these questions and more.

Why is Japan called Samurai Blue?

Japan's nickname, 'Samurai Blue' (also referred to as 'Blue Samurai') is partially due to the blue colour of their playing kits, which have been blue since the 1930s. The second half of the name is inspired by Japan's ancient warriors, or the samurai, which are widely recognised as part of the country's international identity.

The nickname has been championed by the Japanese Football Association (JFA) for over 15 years. Ahead of the 2006 World Cup, the JFA included 'Samurai Blue' as one of the options to become the national team's recognised nickname. It proved the overwhelming preference of Japanese fans that year.

'Samurai Blue' had already been in colloquial use for many decades before that point though. The name has connotations of battling with pride, a sense of fair play and a strong desire for victory.

Why does Japan wear blue?

Japan's flag, called Hinomaru, is instantly recognisable and doesn't feature the colour blue at all. Symbolising the disc of the sun, the Japan national flag stands for purity and integrity. The red gradient represents sincerity, brightness and warmth.

There are a number of reported reasons for why they wear

Japan striker Keisuke Honda and captain captain Makoto Hasebe announced that Japan's 3-2 defeat against Belgium in their thrilling round-of-16 clash at the 2018 World Cup will be the last they play for their country.

Honda, a 32-year-old who did not start a game in Russia, came on as a second-half substitute in Rostov as Japan let a 2-0 lead slip and conceded a third in the final seconds of stoppage time.

Playing in his third World Cup, Honday was unable to help the Samurai Blue reach the quarterfinals for the first time in their history, and is stepping down just two games short of a century of international appearances.

"I am concluding my career in the national team," the former AC Milan man said. "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."

Honda has been encouraged by the showing of his compatriots in Russia, where he spent four years as a player for CSKA Moscow.

"Maybe we gave the European crowds a message that they should bring more Japanese players, not even national players. I hope they will now take a lot of new talents."

Honda also has a decision to make regarding his club career. After being released by Milan in the summer of 2017, he joined Mexican giants Pachuca, and according to reports in Japan prior to the World Cup, he will not extend his one year contract that expires later this month.

Despite impressing in Mexico, he is considering offers from Europe as well as a return to Japan.

The well-travelled Honda started his professional career with the J.League's Nagoya Grampus in 2004 before moving to the Netherlands and VVV-Venlo three years later.

Hasebe, once heralded by former Japan head coach Alberto Zaccheroni as one of only two "true captains" he had ever managed along with Paolo Maldini, has also decided to step down