The former Japan international has been overseas throughout the international break as he oversees Cambodia's U23s bid to qualify for the AFC U23s Championships and the Olympics.

He went head to head against Graham Arnold over the weekend - losing 6-0 to the Olyroos - and faces a final clash with Chinese Taipei tonight.

But while the veteran star has been busy on the sidelines in south-east Asia, Valeria said his team-mates have been getting smashed in training by coach Kevin Muscat ahead of this weekend's crucial clash.

Victory take on table-toppers Perth Glory in what could be the Premiership decider – but Honda won't turn up for duty until almost the last moment.

There have been concerns that it was a sign of Honda's possible lack of commitment to his A-League club – and a sign of surrender by Victory to let him have such a free rein.

But Valeri backed his marquee star name.

"If it was anyone else, I'd probably be worried," Valeria admitted after training today.

"But Keisuke's just a machine. He's a beast. I know he'll be away and probably working harder than us. 

"From that perspective we are totally serene and relaxed because we know that his professionalism and his work ethic, the way that he does everything, he's amazing.

"We know that he'll come fully prepared for the game against Perth because his hunger to win is amazing.

"You can really see that in everything he does."