Paro FC arrives prepared with Keisuke Honda to face Church Boys United on August 13

Kathmandu, Aug. 11: Keisuke Honda needs no introduction amongst football fans. An experienced midfielder who played for the Japanese national team in three editions of the FIFA World Cup (2010, 2014 and 2018), Honda will be in action at the Kathmandu-based Dasharath Stadium on August 13.

The 38-year-old will be playing for Bhutan Premier League 2023 winner Paro FC against Nepal’s Martyr’s Memorial A-Division League 2023 winner Church Boys United in the preliminary stage of the AFC Challenge League. Honda landed at the Kathmandu-based Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) Saturday morning with the squad and officials of Paro FC. 

Paro FC signed Honda, who has been on a break for two years, on August 4 specifically for the AFC Challenge League. A key player in AC Milan’s midfield for three years (2014-2017), Honda’s arrival has given a boost to Paro FC’s high aim as the club is currently investing highly in foreign players. 

Finishing as the runner-up in 2018, Paro FC won their maiden Bhutan Premier League in 2019. The club then went on to win three editions of the League in 2021, 2022 and 2023. They are also leading in 2024 at the end of Round 12.

According to Paro FC, Honda has joined the club on a one-game contract to feature in the upcoming AFC Challenge League match against Nepal’s Church Boys United. 

Moreover, talking to journalists after the touch down in Kathmandu, Paro FC’s coach Puspalal Sharma, also a former Bhutanese international footballer, expressed that the team’s game was built around Honda.

Sharma, who seeks to return the favour for the 3-2 loss at Dasharath Stadium against Machhindra FC last year, said, “We were not expecting the ground conditions last year. But this time we have come completely prepared.”

Honda was not expected to return as a professional player after he was found dedicating his time to raise as much as ¥15 billion ($100 million) for his first fund (The X&KSK Fund) dedicated to investing in about 30 Japanese startups. 

Meanwhile, after his surprise return, Honda has already played a match for Paro FC as the club competed against Tsirang FC in the Bhutan Premier League 2024 on August 8. Coming off the bench, Honda had some chances to score his first goal in Bhutan, but failed; nevertheless, he showed he was still dangerous.

“There have been several changes in Church Boys’ squad after winning the league (in 2023). They have many active national players currently. We know about Nigeria’s Kareem. We are prepared for them,” said Sharma. 

Church Boys United ready

Church Boys United made headlines in 2023 after lifting the Martyrs Memorial ‘A’ Division League title on its debut. Moreover, the club won the C and B Divisions consecutively to get promoted to the A Division for the very first time.

Now, the club sets its eyes on proving its abilities in front of the top clubs from different Asian countries. If the club defeats Paro FC, they will be progressing to the Group Stage of the AFC Challenge League between 18 teams slated for October-November.

Church Boys United had also organised a press conference on Friday to inform that they were ready to face the Bhutanese club. “Our squad is balanced and prepared to challenge Paro FC and win,” said Bal Gopal Maharjan, head coach of Church Boys United, during the press meet.

Nepal’s rising youngster Ayush Ghalan would be one of the key players to watch from Church Boys United. Ghalan was one of the goal scorers against Paro FC when he played for Machhindra FC last year. Nepal’s joint international men’s leading goal scorer, Anjan Bista will also be looking to win the match in front of what is expected to be a packed Dasharath Stadium.