Kotaro Honda (footballer)
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 20 May 2006 | ||
| Place of birth | Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan[1] | ||
| Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)[1] | ||
| Position(s) | Centre-back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Shonan Bellmare | ||
| Number | 24 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2014–2018 | Mihoko SC | ||
| 2019– | Shonan Bellmare | ||
| International career‡ | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2021 | Japan U15 | ||
| 2022 | Japan U16 | 3 | (0) |
| 2023 | Japan U17 | 13 | (0) |
| 2025– | Japan U20 | 1 | (0) |
| ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 12:47, 20 May 2025 (UTC) | |||
Kotaro Honda (本多 康太郎, Honda Kotaro; born 20 May 2006) is a Japanese footballer who plays as an centre-back for Shonan Bellmare.
Club career
Born in Yokohama in the Kanagawa Prefecture of Japan, Honda began his career with Mihoko SC, joining in 2014.[1] After joining the academy of professional club Shonan Bellmare in 2019,[1] it was announced in April 2024 that he would be promoted to the first team the following year.[2] He joined up with the club's first team permanently in January 2025, having already been involved in training and practice matches.[3][4]
International career
Between 2021 and 2023, Honda was called up to Japan's under-15, under-16 and under-17 sides.[1][5] He was called up to the under-17 team for the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup alongside Bellmare teammate Keita Kosugi.[6] In Japan's opening 1–0 win against Poland, Honda was critical of his own performance, despite Japan keeping a clean sheet, stating that the team had been tense and that he "definitely want[ed] to improve."[7] He expressed his disappointment at Japan not being able to progress past the round of 16, saying that Japan had been "shown the difference" by Spain forward Marc Guiu, whose goal in Spain's 2–1 win knocked Japan out of the competition.[3]
In May 2025 he was drafted into Japan's under-20 side to replace injured centre-back Rikuto Kuwahara.[8]
References
- ^ a b c d e "Kotaro Honda". bellmare.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 26 May 2025.
- ^ "湘南、U18所属のDF本多康太郎の来季トップチーム昇格内定を発表「とてもワクワクしています」" [Shonan announces that U-18 defender Kotaro Honda will be promoted to the top team next season: "I'm very excited"]. soccer-king.jp (in Japanese). 30 April 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
- ^ a b "2025年シーズンから湘南ベルマーレへの加入が決まった - 本多 康太郎さん" [He has decided to join Shonan Bellmare from the 2025 season - Kotaro Honda]. townnews.co.jp (in Japanese). 1 January 2025. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
- ^ "【コトノハ】本多康太郎「次の練習、次の練習と」〈新加入選手インタビュー〉" [[Kotonoha] Kotaro Honda "Next practice, next practice" <Interview with new player>]. targma.jp (in Japanese). 30 January 2025. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
- ^ "湘南が6年生から在籍のDF本多康太郎の来季トップ昇格内定を発表「湘南のために、全力で進み続けます」" [Shonan announces that defender Honda Kotaro, who has been with the team since sixth grade, will be promoted to the top team next season. "I will continue to do my best for Shonan."]. web.ultra-soccer.jp (in Japanese). 30 April 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
- ^ "小杉、本田選手が代表入り" [Kosugi and Honda selected for national team]. townnews.co.jp (in Japanese). 2 November 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
- ^ "世界の舞台で発揮した個性…U-17日本代表DF本多康太郎(湘南U-18)は完封貢献も満足せず「100点では絶対にない試合」" [Showing his individuality on the world stage... Japan U-17 national team defender Honda Kotaro (Shonan U-18) is not satisfied with his contribution to the shutout, saying "It definitely wasn't a 100-point game"]. livedoor.com (in Japanese). 12 November 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
- ^ "U-20日本代表、湘南DF本多康太郎を追加招集 明治大DF桒原陸人は怪我のため不参加" [Shonan defender Kotaro Honda added to the U-20 Japan squad; Meiji University defender Rikuto Kuwahara absent due to injury]. koko-soccer.com (in Japanese). 13 May 2025. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
External links
- Kotaro Honda at Soccerway
- Kotaro Honda at WorldFootball.net