In the end, Keisuke Honda's first club game in his native Japan in almost a dozen years ended in disappointment. But the former AC Milan forward can hold his head high after scoring on his return home and paying his respects to his nation in a touching tribute.
Honda now plays for Australian club Melbourne Victory, who were in AFC Champions League (ACL) action away to Sanfrecce Hirsohima on Tuesday.
The 32-year-old provided a 71st-minute equaliser with a sizzling strike, before the J.League club secured a 2-1 victory through Daiki Watari's goal four minutes from time.
The result leaves Melbourne Victory with no points from their opening two matches in ACL Group F.
"Sanfrecce played very well and applied pressure the whole 90 minutes," Honda said. "We still have four [group] games left. We won't give up."
Honda's quick trip to Hiroshima was widely covered by the Japanese media, from the moment he flew out from Australia, changing planes in Tokyo, and arriving in the World War II-ravaged city of Hiroshima. Being the only player from his nation to have scored in three World Cups, Honda remains one of Japan's biggest sports' superstars.
In his first season at Melbourne Victory, Honda has scored seven goals in 12 matches in all competitions. The defending A-League champions are in third spot on the table, assured of a place in next month's play-offs.
Honda retired from the national team at the end of last year's World Cup, but he's hinted at a comeback for next year's Tokyo Olympics. Although men's football is a U23 competition, three over-age players will be allowed.
"I want to achieve that [winning gold at Tokyo 2020], but instead of a World Cup as a player, I still don't give up about becoming a World Cup champion,'' said Honda, who played at the 2010, 2014 and 2018 World Cups.
"After I quit football, maybe in two years, after Olympics, it's just starting my life."
China will be the next overseas destination for the much-travelled Honda, with Melbourne Victory facing Fabio Cannavaro's Guangzhou Evergrande in their third ACL group match on April 10.
Jason Dasey is CEO of Singapore-based Cockatoo Media and host of corporate events in Bangkok.
