Vissel Kobe’s Andres Iniesta (center)
Andres Iniesta made his debut in Japan yesterday for Vissel Kobe but his new team went down 3-0 at home to Shonan Bellmare. Keisuke Saka and Mitsuki Saito scored to give the visitors a 2-0 lead before Iniesta came on as a 59th-minute substitute. But Shunsuke Kikuchi added another in the 67th to put the result beyond doubt.
The 34-year-old Iniesta had his first touch in the 62nd minute, as he received a pass inside his own area before dribbling to halfway and passing to Takuya Yasui on the wing.
Iniesta created a chance when he sent a through ball that found Wellington inside the box in the 89th minute but the Brazilian’s shot was deflected out for a corner.
Iniesta, who trained with his teammates for the first time Friday, is expected to make his first J-League start when Vissel play Kashiwa Reysol at home on Saturday.
Iniesta scored the winning goal for Spain in the 2010 World Cup final. He also was a key part of Spain’s two European Championships in 2008 and 2012. AP
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