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Dec 01, 2018   |  10:36PM AET

Starring Honda hungry for more

Starring Honda hungry for more

It was another eye-catching display, the kind to warrant the growing admiration and adulation of an adoring fanbase.

No player on the pitch had more touches (107), completed more passes (70) or won more duels (10) than Keisuke Honda, while he also recorded a team-high six shots and nine crosses.

But despite his own outstanding contribution and the impressive recent performances of his team, the Japanese star remains as selfless and hungry as ever. 

“I am not satisfied yet. I think we can get better,” Honda said post-match.

“Of course, today I scored and the team scored four goals, but we also made a lot of mistakes.”

Such are his standards, as late as second-half stoppage time and with both the result and points secured, Honda could be seen urging goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas to resume play quickly so that the hosts could continue to press. 

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“We shouldn’t be satisfied even when we’re 4-0 [in front].

“It doesn’t matter to me [the scoreline], it’s important how we can make people happy… because football is entertainment and the fans want to be happy all 90 minutes, even extra minutes.

“So, I think even when we’re 4-0 we have to score, we have to be aggressive.”

Just six games into his Hyundai A-League career Honda already has four goals, and when Kosta Barbarouses was felled in the penalty area Melbourne Victory’s number four was offered the plum chance to make it five. 

Instead, he saw an opportunity.

“Usually I take [the penalties], but I don’t mind who scores.

“I thought Kosta needed a goal in this moment, for the future. I hope that he got the confidence today and is going to score in the next game.

By the time Barbarouses was stepping up to the spot Honda had already opened the scoring, heading home Terry Antonis’ wonderful ball to the back post, and was keen to play down any talk of individualising Melbourne Victory’s current winning run.

“To be honest, I’m not thinking about [my form] – I don’t think about pressure.

“I don’t mind about my performance, it’s important that the team wins.

“I just enjoy playing with my teammates and working with Kevin and the players.”