Arata Izumi (和泉 新, Izumi Arata, born 31 July 1982) or Neelkanth Khambholja (Indian name taken by him) is a ex-Japanese Indian head coach and former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He is currently the assistant coach of I-League club Inter Kashi. Born in Japan, Izumi represented India at the international level. Izumi played nine matches for India between 2013 and 2014.
 Izumi with Pune FC in 2011 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Arata Izumi aka Neelkanth Khambholja | ||
| Date of birth | 31 July 1982 | ||
| Place of birth | Shimonoseki, Japan | ||
| Height | 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Inter Kashi (assistant) | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2005 | Albirex Niigata Singapore | 22 | (3) |
| 2006 | Mitsubishi Mizushima | 25 | (1) |
| 2006–2007 | East Bengal | 14 | (1) |
| 2007–2009 | Mahindra United | 24 | (2) |
| 2009–2015 | Pune | 119 | (25) |
| 2015 | → Atlético de Kolkata (loan) | 11 | (5) |
| 2016 | Mumbai | 13 | (1) |
| 2016 | Pune City | 9 | (1) |
| 2017 | NEROCA | ||
| 2017–2018 | Kerala Blasters | 6 | (0) |
| Total | 243 | (39) | |
| International career | |||
| 2013–2014 | India | 9 | (0) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 2023– | Inter Kashi (assistant) | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Izumi began his professional career in Singapore with Albirex Niigata Singapore and in his native Japan for Mitsubishi Mizushima before moving to India in 2006. He spent the first three years in India with East Bengal and Mahindra United before spending six seasons with Pune. He then went on to play for Atlético de Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune City, and NEROCA. With NEROCA, Izumi helped the Manipuri club earn promotion to the I-League. He then ended his career playing with the Kerala Blasters.
Club career
editAlbirex Niigata Singapore
editIn 2005, Izumi started his professional football career with Albirex Niigata Singapore of the S.League.[1] Albirex Niigata Singapore was an affiliate of Albirex Niigata of the J.League.[2] Arata grew a reputation for his speed while in the S.League.[1] He scored his first professional goal of his career against Tampines Rovers in the S.League on 18 September 2005.[1][3] He then scored his second goal of the season on 30 September 2005 against Woodlands Wellington.[3] Arata ended the season with 22 caps in S.League with 3 goals and 2 caps in the Singapore Cup scoring 1 goal.[4]
Mitsubishi Mizushima
editIn 2006, after a successful season with Albirex Niigata Singapore in which the team finished 5th in the S.League,[3] Arata moved back to Japan and signed for Mitsubishi Motors Mizushima of the Japan Football League. While with the team Arata also worked for Mitsubishi Motors as a toso (a person of paints cars).[5] He worked 10 hours a day from 5 in the morning to 6 in the evening with the car company and then he spent 2 hours practicing with the football team. Despite scoring 7 goals and gaining 7 assists in 24 games during the 2006 season Izumi could not stop the club finishing in 17th place, 2nd the last that season.[4]
East Bengal
editIn November 2006 Izumi signed for East Bengal of the National Football League.[6] At first he struggled to get accustomed to the Indian climate but eventually he found his way. He ended his maiden season with the club with 1 goal and 10 assists in 14 games.[4]
Mahindra United
editIn 2007 Izumi signed for Mahindra United of the I-League, which replaced the old National Football League.[7] He began the 2007–08 I-League campaign with an injury that kept him out of football for six months.[7] He managed to come back that season, scoring 1 goal and getting 2 assists in 8 games.[4] The next season Izumi scored 1 goal and gained 5 assists in 16 I-League games.[4] That season Arata and Mahindra won the Durand Cup.[7]
Pune
editIn 2009, Izumi signed for newly promoted I-League side Pune.[8] Izumi has called his move to Pune as the turning point of his career.[8] In 2010, he finished the season with a career high 10 goals and 10 assists in 26 games.[4] He also scored an extra 6 goals in cup matches.[4] He was the top goalscorer among all midfielders and was also nominated as the best midfielder in the I-League by goal.com.[8] Izumi also won the Pune FC Man of Steel award from the club that season.[8] Arata continued his good form for the club in 2010–11 scoring 6 goals and getting 9 assists in 24 games.[9] On 22 October 2011 Izumi made his 50th appearance for the club in I-League in the opening match of the 2011–12 season against Shillong Lajong.[10] On 24 August 2012 Izumi extended his contract by 2 years with Pune FC.[11]
Atlético de Kolkata
editIn 2015 Izumi was drafted to Atlético Kolkata of the 2015 Indian Super League season. He started his campaign for the side with a goal against FC Goa in a high voltage 1-1 clash on 7 October. Six days later on 13 October Izumi scored against Kerala Blasters in 2–1 win which was witnessed by a home crowd of sixty thousand Kolkata fans and legendary Pelé at Salt Lake Stadium. He returned after an injury almost a month later and produced a match winning performance against Kerala Blasters in Kochi, coming off the bench and scoring twice on 84th and 90+3 minutes with his team winning the match 3–2.[12] His last goal came in a 2–3 defeat on 14 December against Mumbai City FC at Salt Lake Stadium on the final match of the group stage.
NEROCA
editIn January 2017, after playing with Pune City, Izumi signed with I-League 2nd Division side NEROCA.[13]
Kerala Blasters
editOn 23 July 2017, Izumi was selected in the 6th round of the 2017–18 ISL Players Draft by the Kerala Blasters for the 2017–18 Indian Super League season.[14] He made his debut for the club during their opening match of the season on 17 November 2017 against ATK. He started and played the whole match as Kerala Blasters drew 0–0.[15]
At the end of the season, Izumi announced his retirement from professional football on 18 July 2018.[16]
Style of play
editAs player he can play anywhere on midfield and also as a False 9. Mostly Izumi likes to operate behind the striker or as a playmaker but also can play in as winger for his crossing abilities. Although, he has been criticized sometimes for lack of consistency throughout his career.
International career
editOn 24 August 2012, Izumi gained Indian citizenship, giving away his Japanese passport in order to do so, thus making him eligible to play for India at the international level.[11] Then on 29 January 2013 it was confirmed that Izumi had been called up to Wim Koevermans side for the friendly against Palestine.[17] Izumi then made his international debut in that match when he came on in the 64th minute for Lenny Rodrigues as India went on to lose the match 4–2.[18]
Since then Izumi has also been called up to India's 2014 AFC Challenge Cup qualification squad and their 2013 SAFF Championship squad.[19]
Coaching career
editAfter retiring as a player, Izumi took up the role of youth coach with the Reliance Foundation Young Champs, the youth academy division for the Indian Super League.[16]
In August 2023, Izumi was appointed as assistant coach of Inter Kashi, a newly founded club which is set to make their I-League debut.[20]
Personal life
editArata was born to Akiko Izumi, a Japanese mother and Narendra Khambholja, a Gujarati father.[21] On 24 August 2012, it was officially announced by his club, Pune FC, that he has received Indian citizenship from the Government of India.[11] Izumi also holds an Indian name, Neelkanth Khambholja.[21]
Career statistics
editClub
edit| Club | Season | League | League Cup | Domestic Cup | AFC | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Albirex Niigata Singapore | 2005 | S.League | 22 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 24 | 4 |
| Total | 22 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 4 | ||
| Mitsubishi Mizushima | 2006 | Japan Football League | 24 | 4 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 32 | 6 |
| Total | 24 | 4 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 6 | ||
| East Bengal | 2006–07 | National Football League | 14 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 15 | 1 |
| Total | 14 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 1 | ||
| Mahindra United | 2007–08 | I-League | 8 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 14 | 1 |
| 2008–09 | I-League | 16 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 21 | 1 | |
| Total | 24 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 2 | ||
| Pune | 2009–10 | I-League | 26 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | — | — | 29 | 11 |
| 2010–11 | I-League | 24 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 28 | 6 | |
| 2011–12 | I-League | 21 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 24 | 3 | |
| 2012–13 | I-League | 22 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 24 | 6 | |
| 2013–14 | I-League | 17 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 21 | 1 | |
| 2014–15 | I-League | 19 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 1 | — | — | 27 | 2 | |
| Total | 129 | 25 | 9 | 1 | 14 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 155 | 29 | ||
| Atlético de Kolkata | 2015 | Indian Super League | 11 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | 5 |
| Total | 11 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 5 | ||
| Mumbai (loan) | 2015–16 | I-League | 13 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 15 | 1 |
| Total | 13 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 1 | ||
| Pune City | 2016 | Indian Super League | 9 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 1 |
| Total | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | ||
| Kerala Blasters | 2017–18 | Indian Super League | 6 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | — | — | 7 | 0 |
| Total | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | ||
| Career total | 252 | 42 | 30 | 4 | 14 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 303 | 49 | ||
Honours
editIndia
- SAFF Championship runner-up: 2013
East Bengal
- Indian Super Cup: 2006
- Calcutta Football League: 2006
Mahindra United
- IFA Shield: 2008[24]
- Mumbai Football League: 2007–08, 2008–09[25]
Pune
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "Arata Izumi". Archived from the original on 17 January 2013. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
- ^ "ALBIREX SINGAPORE". 4 October 2006. Archived from the original on 4 October 2006. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
- ^ a b c "Singapore 2005". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Statistics". 25 December 2013. Archived from the original on 25 December 2013. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
- ^ "Mitubishi Mizushima FC 2006". Arata Izumi. Archived from the original on 30 December 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
- ^ "Kingfisher East Bengal FC 2006–2007". Arata Izumi. Archived from the original on 30 December 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
- ^ a b c "Mahindra United FC 2007–2009". Arata Izumi. Archived from the original on 1 March 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
- ^ a b c d "Pune FC 2009–2010". Arata Izumi. Archived from the original on 30 December 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
- ^ "Pune FC 2010–2011". Arata Izumi. Archived from the original on 30 December 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
- ^ "I-League: Pune FC 0–0 Shillong Lajong FC". Pune Football Club. Archived from the original on 21 March 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
- ^ a b c "Medio Arata now an Indian citizen; Pune FC extend contract". Pune Football Club. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
- ^ "Kerala Blasters v ATK Live Commentary & Result, 10/11/15, Indian Super League". Goal.com. Archived from the original on 4 December 2021. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
- ^ Thomas, Nevin (9 January 2017). "Arata Izumi: 'Neroca project great for Indian football'". SportsStarLive. Archived from the original on 12 December 2017. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
- ^ "ISL 2017 player draft, as it happened: ATK, Jamshedpur FC and Pune strike big". The Field. 23 July 2017. Archived from the original on 9 December 2019. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
- ^ "Kerala Blasters 0-0 ATK". Soccerway. Archived from the original on 26 August 2018. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
- ^ a b "Arata Izumi Retires". GoalBold (Twitter). Archived from the original on 9 April 2019. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
- ^ NDTV, Indo-Asian News Service (29 January 2013). "Arata Izumi becomes first foreign national to be selected for Indian football team". sports.ndtv.com. NDTV Sport. Archived from the original on 21 February 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2013.
- ^ "India 2-4 Palestine". Goal.com. Archived from the original on 26 February 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2013.
- ^ "Wim Koevermans names India squad for SAFF Championship". NDTV Sports. Archived from the original on 11 January 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2013.
- ^ Das, Shibashis (4 August 2023). "Arata Izumi becomes the assistant coach of the new entity, Inter Kashi Football Club". footballexpress.in. Archived from the original on 14 September 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
- ^ a b Biswas, Babua. "Pune FC holds a special place in my heart: Arata Izumi". Sportskeeda. Archived from the original on 15 October 2013. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
- ^ Arata Izumi at Soccerway
- ^ "Arata Izumi Statistics". Arata Izumi. Archived from the original on 25 December 2013. Retrieved 24 December 2013.
- ^ "Mahindra strikes". Sportstar.theHindu.com. 28 March 2008. Archived from the original on 28 December 2021. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
- ^ Mahindra United clinch Mumbai Football League title Archived 5 September 2021 at the Wayback Machine DNA India. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
- ^ "Pune FC to play AFC Champions League play-off". Goal.com. 26 November 2013. Archived from the original on 4 November 2016. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- ^ "I-League 2009–10". Soccerway. Archived from the original on 17 October 2014. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
- ^ "Salgaocar FC down Pune FC to lift the Durand Cup". Goal.com. 9 November 2014. Archived from the original on 25 February 2015.
- ^ "Bhutan The Kings Cup 2014 Match Schedule Result and Point Table". www.ballcric.com. Ball Cric. 16 November 2014. Archived from the original on 3 January 2015. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
- ^ "3rd King's Cup Football - Bhutan 2014". Kolkota Football. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
Further reading
edit- Sharma, Nikhil Paramjit; Gupta, Shantanu (4 February 2019). India's Football Dream. SAGE Publications India. ISBN 9789353283063. Archived from the original on 4 October 2022. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
- Kapadia, Novy (2017). Barefoot to Boots: The Many Lives of Indian Football. Penguin Random House. ISBN 978-0-143-42641-7.
- Bhattacharya, Neeladri (25 April 2023). "To be or not to be Indian? Catch-22 situation for Belgian-Indian footballer Triman Ranvir". sportstar.thehindu.com. Chennai: Sportstar. Archived from the original on 26 April 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
- "Durand Cup: Pune FC held to goalless draw by CRPF". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. New Delhi: The Times of India. PTI. 23 August 2012. Archived from the original on 9 November 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
External links
editMedia related to Arata Izumi at Wikimedia Commons
- Arata Izumi on Twitter
- Arata Izumi on Facebook
- Arata Izumi at Global Sports Archive
- Indian Super League Profile