FUKUROI, SHIZUOKA PREF. – Coach Alberto Zaccheroni hailed Keisuke Honda as Japan’s “extra man” after the CSKA Moscow star delivered a typically robust display on his long-awaited return to the team in Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Azerbaijan in a World Cup qualifying tuneup.
Honda, back with the Asian champions after an injury-enforced nine-month absence, helped set up a cracking opener for Shinji Kagawa three minutes before halftime and created the second for Shinji Okazaki to earn top marks from Zaccheroni.
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