“Have a Dream, Follow the Dream”: Honda Says While Stepping Down

Honda led the U-22 team, often referred to as 'The Kouprey', in the 32nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. Photo: Sem Vanna

PHNOM PENH – Keisuke Honda posted an emotional farewell message on his Facebook page on May 11 after concluding his job as manager of Cambodia's national football team.



Honda led the U-22 team, often referred to as 'The Kouprey', in the 32nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. But the hope to advance to the semifinals faded away when his team lost 2-1 to Indonesia on May 10 in the last match of Group A in the pool phase.



Under his leadership, Cambodia gathered four points in four matches, trailing behind the group leader Indonesia and the second-place Myanmar. Both countries qualified for the semifinals.



The Japanese former football player has been coaching Cambodia's football team since 2018 without salary. In the 2019 SEA Games in the Philippines, Cambodia reached the semifinals and finished in fourth place of the tournament.



“We wanted [to] make you happier with better results. But we couldn’t do it. Our life is not promised and the reality is sometimes hard for me to accept,” he said. 



He added that he had felt similar feelings on many occasions since his coaching started five years ago. He paid tribute to the fans, who he said were “my energy and my hope”.



“You gave me and all players a lot of things. I’m proud of all of you,” he said.



“Lastly, I want to tell you this word. Have a dream, follow the dream.”



Honda will be replaced by Argentinian Felix G. Dalmas, who was announced as Cambodia's U23 team coach in April 2023 for a four-year contract.


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