Victory against City: Derby debut for Keisuke Honda in A-League

Japanese star Keisuke Honda gets his first taste of the A-League tomorrow, against Melbourne City,

Melbourne Victory’s Keisuke Honda makes his A-League debut tomorrow against Melbourne City. Picture: Getty Images

Keisuke Honda would have no idea about the 1960s comedy movie They’re A Weird Mob, the story of an Italian migrant who found the Australian way of life somewhat strange.

While the Japanese superstar does not have the same cultural issues as Nino Culotta, the main character in the movie, it appears the same can’t be said about what he describes as the “weird” practices of Australian soccer.

As he prepares for his first serious game in Melbourne Victory colours — no less than the local derby against Melbourne City at Marvel Stadium tomorrow night — a relaxed, and at times, humorous Honda opened up about how we do things in the A-League.

According to Honda, it is weird to have such a long off-season (five months), weird that the Melbourne derby is played as the opening game of the season and weird that Victory’s training sessions are so open. It’s not the sort of football climate he has been used to during a stellar career in Europe that has so far spanned 14 years, during which he has played for heavyweight clubs such as CSKA Moscow and AC Milan.

Understandably, after so much pre-season training, the 32-year-old attacking midfielder is raring to go against City, revealing he will definitely start the match.

“I think so,” the Victory marquee man replied when asked if he would be in the starting line-up. “I am excited. We have been training for two or three months. I have never done anything like this preparation. It is good to experience but finally we can play against Melbourne City on Saturday.”

Just where he will fit into coach Kevin Muscat’s plans remains to be seen but it is clear he will play a very offensive role.

“I can’t say about tactics because if you want to know about tactics then you come to our training because everyone can watch the training,” he said. “And that is weird. Normally there are a lot of tactics with training, usually most teams are preparing for the weekend. It’s OK. I don’t think other opponents are interested in our tactics. Everyone can watch.

“In our training, every day Japanese fans come to watch, so I am feeling here is not like abroad for me. It’s weird.”

The fact that the Melbourne derby is played so early in the season has caught him by surprise. He is no stranger to such massive games having played in the Derby della Madonnina featuring the two prominent Milanese clubs — Internazionale and Milan.

“Yeah, we already spoken about it (the game),” he said.

“I also had lot of derby experience, so I know how important this game is. The first experience for me is the derby and the beginning of the season and this is unusual.

“Maybe (the reason is because) it’s connecting with (the) business side. It will be a very difficult game, very sensitive game so it is important to prepare mentally.”

Honda said he knows little about Melbourne City except for the fact that “Timmy” (Cahill) played for them.

“Tactically we are rising,” he said. “Kevin told us lot of things what they will do. I know it tactically. I’m fine, I am ready to play against them.”

Honda, who communicated well yesterday, revealed he is getting English lessons every day, but is finding it hard to come to grips with the Australia accent, jokingly taking aim at goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas, one of the great characters of the A-League.

“I have learned English every day. I will be able to speak much better in couple of months but I need time to get your accent.

“I can understand most of my teammates except for Lawrence. When I talk to him it is very tough to understand.”

Meanwhile, Sydney FC captain Alex Brosque wants his side to strike a psychological blow on FFA Cup final adversary Adelaide United by inflicting a home loss on the Reds in tonight’s A-League season-opener.

The two clubs will meet at the same Coopers Stadium venue on October 30, when Sydney will endeavour to become the first club to go back-to-back in the FFA Cup.

“Definitely this is is a big game on many fronts,” Brosque said. ‘This is round one, you want to start the season off well, you want to get the three points. “

“But looking towards the final as well, we can send a bit of a message to them.”