I-League: I take Bencherifa’s ‘foreigner’ comment as a compliment – Pune FC and India medio Arata Izumi

Photo Credit: AIFF Media

One of the big talking points in world football this week has been about England and Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere’s comments regarding the eligibility of foreign-born players representing England. Now Mohun Bagan coach Karim Bencherifa might have sparked a new debate about that subject in India by calling national team player Arata Izumi a ‘foreigner’.

Although dual citizenship is not allowed in India, history was created early this year when Japanese-born Arata Izumi represented India at international level.

Arata, who has an Indian father and Japanese mother, became an Indian citizen last year after giving up his Japanese passport and already has five caps for the country. But after his side’s 2-0 defeat to Pune FC yesterday, where the green-and-maroon brigade was also reduced to ten, Bencherifa was quoted saying, “when you play against a set team with five foreigners (including Arata) on the pitch and with ten men it was always going to be difficult.”

The versatile midfielder though has not taken any offence and instead sees it as a compliment.

“I take that as a compliment actually. I believe he was trying to say that we (Pune FC) have quality players,” Arata told Sportskeeda in an exclusive chat.

The 31-year-old though clearly stated that he feels as an Indian now and is proud to play for the senior national team.

“Of course I feel as an Indian now. It’s an honour playing for the national team. I have enjoyed every moment of it,” he said.

Pune FC have had a positive start to the 2013-14 I-League campaign with seven points from their first three games. The Red Lizards finished runners-up last season and Arata believes that despite having a young and new-look squad they can go one better this time.

“It’s true that we have a lot of young players this time so it’s important for players like me to help them out. But I can tell you that we have a lot of quality and can win the I-League this time. It’s a very close competition this season as well and we respect all other clubs but I think we have the team to become champions,” Arata opined.

India face the Philippines in an international friendly on November 15 with Chennai likely to be the venue and Arata is looking forward to it.

“The SAFF Championship 2013 is behind us now. I don’t want to look back on that final defeat anymore. The game against the Philippines will be a new challenge so hopefully I will get picked and help my team win the match,” he concluded.