Arsenal cult hero Lukas Podolski scores twice on J-League debut to hand Vissel Kobe 3-1 win
Former Germany international moved to Japan at the end of the season
ARSENAL cult hero Lukas Podolski was back in the goals - scoring twice on his debut in Japan.
The World Cup winner, 32, moved to Vissel Kobe at the end of the season after two years at Turkish giants Galatsaray.
The former Germany international, who became a firm fan favourite in his three seasons at the Emirates, scored twice in the second half of a 3-1 win over Omiya Ardija.
Podolski put the home side in front with a powerful effort from outside the box just four minutes after the break.
Marcelo Toscano equalised on the hour mark - but Podolski put his new side back in the lead just four minutes later.
He leapt highest to head home a cross from the right hand side.
Hideo Tanaka scored 12 minutes from time to seal the points - although Vissel Kobe remain ninth in the J-League.
Podolski, a £4.2million signing, is the biggest name to move to Japan since Diego Forlan played for Cerezo Osaka in 2014-15.
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He was swamped by fans when he arrived at Kobe airport earlier this month.
Podolski helped Arsenal win the FA Cup in 2014, scoring 31 goals in three seasons with the Gunners.
It's at international level where the former Bayern Munich and Cologne striker enjoyed his best football.
Only Lothar Matthaus and Miroslav Klose have more caps than Podolski's 130 and only Klose (71) and Gerd Muller (68) have more goals than his 49.
Podolski was an important part of the World Cup winning team in 2014, also helping Germany to the semi-finals in 2006 and 2010.
At the Euros he reached the semi-finals in 2012 and 2016 and started when Germany were beaten by Spain in the Euro 2008 final.
