Pele memories live on as Honda embraces 'final' World Cup

Japan icon Keisuke Honda's dream of winning the World Cup began when, as a six-year-old, his father showed him footage of Brazilian legend Pele on an old VCR.

And although restricted to a substitute appearance so far in what is his third, and almost certainly final campaign, the former AC Milan star has not given up on that unlikely dream becoming reality.

"I'm feeling that this World Cup is my final one," Honda said at the team's training base in Kazan on Friday.

"I'm 32 years old and four years is pretty long. Right now I can't decide about (what will happen) four years later, so I'm spending all my energy on this World Cup.

"That's why I really want to succeed at this World Cup, with these teammates."
"Even if we lose against Senegal, I know how to avoid the pressure and how to prepare for Poland."
- 'No regrets' -
================
"To submit myself to the kind of football Halilhodzic played in order to get picked, that would be shameful for me."