‘Hope restructuring helps Indian football’

He had a stellar season in the last edition of the Indian Super League for Atletico de Kolkata where he scored five goals in 11 appearances. This time around, however, Japan-born India footballer Arata Izumi has moved closer to the West coast where he’s set to ply his trade for FC Pune City in ISL-3.

At a time when Indian football may go through a revamp where the premier I-League tournament faces termination, Izumi, who had significant spells at Mahindra United and Pune FC hopes that the transformation helps Indian football in the future.

Quizzed about a likely overhaul and the 33-year-old midfielder says, “It’s too emotional for me to answer this because I have a huge attachment to the I-League. Whatever changes are happening should be good for Indian football.”

The AIFF sent out a strong signal that restructuring of the country’s league system was necessary to make clubs commercially more viable. Secretary Kushal Das too endorsed the view but made it clear that proposals were not final and changes could be made after taking into account inputs and suggestions from the clubs and other stakeholders.

The India international, renowned for his versatility was happy to rekindle his partnership with coach Antonio Habas, who managed to lure Izumi to the Stallions’ den.

“Habas was the biggest reasons I decided to shift from ATK to Pune City. He has helped me in every way. His football is really simple and what I like about him is that he trusts me and allows me to play my natural game,” he pointed out.

Pune will always be a city of love for Izumi. It was here that he met his wife Shweta Manerikar, who was Pune FC’s physio while he was sweating it out in the I-League. “I found my wife here. You can’t be luckier than that, right ” he guffaws.

While the last two seasons have not been too great for the Hrithik Roshan co-owned side, Izumi, also known for his pace and mean left-foot believes the side are building up well.