It will be a homecoming of sorts for India midfielder Arata Izumi when he starts his journey with his new team – FC Pune City – in the third season of the Indian Super League (ISL) on Monday.
The half-Japanese, half-Indian footballer was a revelation for Atletico de Kolkata (ATK) last season, and he played a big role in taking his team to the semi-finals. His five goals in 11 appearances saw him finish eighth on the overall scoring chart and third among the Indians, behind Mumbai City FC’s Sunil Chhetri (seven goals) and Chennaiyin FC’s Jeje Lalpekhlua (six goals).
However, he was not retained by ATK at the end of the season and the 34-year-old is making a return to the city where he has spent the majority of his club career, playing for Pune FC in the I-League.
Izumi was one of the most celebrated footballers of the now disbanded Pune FC and the fans will surely be excited to have him back in the city. Talking about his new team, Izumi said, “We have a fabulous mix of players and we are determined to give our 100% for the club. The coach and support staff are ensuring that our intents are matched with solid efforts from their side.”
The footballer was born in Yamaguchi, Japan, to an Indian father and a Japanese mother, but it was not before 2006 that he first came to India. After playing for Albirex Niigata, Singapore FC and the Mitsubishi Mizushima FC in Japan, he joined East Bengal in 2006, starting a journey which made him the first foreign-born player to represent India in an international match.
However, his introduction to Indian football was not that memorable. Izumi had a forgettable season with East Bengal and his next two seasons — with Mahindra United in Mumbai — saw him struggle with a number of injuries. But, it all changed when he joined Pune FC in 2009 and he became an integral part of team.
And after a string of consistent performances, he was selected for the national team. When Pune FC closed shop in 2015, he was signed by Atletico de Kolkata for the second season of the ISL and that is where he forged a successful partnership with Spanish coach Antonio Lopez Habas. Habas played a major role in developing Izumi’s game and the Spaniard was also a big reason behind his switch to Pune.
“Antonio joining FC Pune City made my decision easier to join the club. It’s always an honour to work with great coach like him. My experience with him at ATK was great and I want to continue playing in his style which is really effective and suits my style of play,” said Izumi.
During his time with Pune FC, Izumi picked up a fan following in Pune that few players in India can boast of and he will surely receive a hero’s welcome when he steps out at the Balewadi Stadium once again.
Defederico scores the winner as Mumbai edge Pune 1-0 in ISL
Mumbai City FC edged hosts FC Pune City 1-0 to began their Indian Super League (ISL) football tournament on a promising note in Pune on Monday.
Argentine Matias Defederico scored the match-clincher in the 69th minute at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex.
Pune were without their new coach, the suspended Antonio Habas, who will sit out Pune’s first four matches after being sanctioned for indecent behaviour last year, when he was helming Atletico de Kolkata.
The home team were the enforcer in the early exchanges of the match. They received two free-kicks in promising positions but shot them straight into the defensive wall to squander the opportunities.
Moments later, Pune’s midfielder Jonatan Lucca’s left-footed volley was acrobatically saved by Mumbai goalkeeper Roberto Volpato, diving to his right in the 15th minute. Pune forward Gustavo Oberman then threatened from the right flank a minute later.
Mumbai’s marquee player Diego Forlan couldn’t involve himself with the flow of the match.
The Uruguayan seemed off pace and struggled to combine with his team-mates as Mumbai struggled to create any meaningful opening.
After Pune’s initial thrust the action lacked rhythm as it was apparent that both teams were playing their first competitive matches of the tournament.
Oberman was comparitively prominent, entering Mumbai’s penalty box menacingly from the left channel in the 42nd minute.
He synced his run with a through pass perfectly and was one-on-one with Volpato. But the onrushing goalkeeper smothered Oberman’s attempt to place the ball past him.
Mumbai finished the half stronger with Forlan engaging in a one-two pass with defender Lalhmangaihsanga Ralte.
Forlan’s left footed pass for Brazilian Leo Costa was accurate but the midfielder’s shot was blocked by Pune defender Gouramangi Singh.
The lack of flow in the proceedings didn’t change even after the break as too may stoppages hindered swiftness.
The match needed a moment of inspiration to be lifted from mediocrity.
Devoid of service, Forlan dropped deeper into the midfield zone, to get more involved with the proceedings.
He has a part to play in the goal that Mumbai score in the 69th minute, flicking it to the Argentine Defederico.
Defederico’s controlled left-footed grounder shot beat Pune’s scampering goalkeeper Edel Bete.
Pune could equalised five minutes later had Jonatan Lucca’s pass to Spanish forward Jesus Tato not beaten away by Volpato at the near post.
Pune players moved up looking for the equaliser. Tato remained their most likely source for a goal as his shot in the 81st minute was again thwarted by Volpato.
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