The Straits Times reports that FC Jurong opened their Singapore Premier League campaign with a 4-0 win over the Young Lions at Jalan Besar Stadium on Sunday 13 September 2026, kick-off 7.30pm, while Keisuke Honda coached from the touchline instead of playing.
Honda was not listed in the match-day squad on fitness grounds and appeared as team staff. Head coach Jaswinder Singh retains the AFC Pro licence role; Honda spent hydration breaks and half-time with a tactics board and stayed vocal from the sideline.
How the goals fell
Toa Suenaga opened the scoring in the 14th minute from close range after Izwan Mahbud spilled a shot from Takuma Yamaguchi. Suenaga added a second in first-half stoppage time after dribbling past Iryan Fandi.
Izwan was replaced by Benjamin Zerak in the 67th minute through injury. Andrew Aw Yong made it 3-0 in the 81st minute, and Shunsuke Ono headed in from a corner in the 87th minute for 4-0. Hassan Sunny kept a clean sheet at the other end.
Crowd and next fixture
More than 700 fans were at Jalan Besar. A minute’s silence was observed before kick-off for former Singapore head coach Barry Whitbread, who died on 9 September at age 77.
What comes next
FC Jurong next face Hougang United on Friday 18 September 2026 at 7.30pm at Jurong East Stadium. Singh said Honda is not quite ready for a playing debut yet as the club works on his fitness.
