Honda says Japan’s 4-0 win over Palestine in the Asian Cup felt like a game of NBA.
Japan star Keisuke Honda has ripped into the standard of refereeing at the Asian Cup after the defending champions defeated Palestine 4-0 in Newcastle.
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Referee Abdulrahman Hussain dished out five yellow cards and a red to Palestine, however Honda likened the Group D clash to a game of basketball.
“It was like playing basketball,” Honda said.
“I don’t want to complain but something has to be done about the level of refereeing here.
“There’s no point saying anything during the game because it’s a waste of energy but every time we touched them it was a foul, just like basketball.”
The AC Milan midfielder also believed Hussain missed a blatant penalty.
“In the first 15 minutes from a corner kick they did a handball and that was a penalty also, but it’s OK, I don’t want to say that.”
Japan face Iraq in their second Group D clash in Brisbane on Friday.