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'We deserved the win' - Pune FC's Arata Izumi pleased with his team's victory over the Goan giants
Goal.com spoke to Pune FC's Arata Izumi who is fast acquiring the reputation of being 'Dempo's nemesis'
06-Feb-2012 1:14:00 PM
By Sarthak Dubey
Goal.com
Arata Izumi, Pune FC's attacking midfielder from Japan was more than satisfied with his team's performance and his match winner in a 1-0 away victory at Dempo SC in the I-League on Sunday.
"It felt good scoring a goal after a long time. We played well throughout the game and deserved the win. It was a very important match for us", he told Goal.com.
The Red Lizards had gone on an unbeaten run of 11 matches in the I-League that included 6 wins and 5 draws which was ultimately ended by Sporting Clube de Goa in round 18.
"Yes, we went unbeaten for 11 matches but our targets for the season are not long term. We take it match by match. All matches are very important", the Japanese added when asked if the unbeaten run coud spark new targets for the season.
Last year, in a 3-2 win over Dempo it was Arata Izumi's brace (that included a fantastic winner) that effectively ended Armando Colaco's aspirations of retaining the title for Dempo SC.
On being asked if Sunday's winner could have similiar effects on the Goan outfit's championship hopes this season, the 29 year old Japanese laughed and said, "It was only one match! I cannot comment anything, it may or may not affect. But obviously they are not connected!"
The former East Bengal man has worked with Derrick Pereira in the past and praised the manager's relationship with players and staff.
"He is a very good manager and maintains good relations with everybody at the club."
The 5 ft 9 inches midfielder has been at Pune FC since 2009 and dreams of playing at the Asian level with the Balewadi Sports Complex outfit: "We are a big club. We should have higher targets and I want to play in the Asian Champions League someday".
Izumi is a popular man around Pune and is adored by the fans, to which he said, "I love them (the fans). They love me."
Follow Sarthak Dubey on
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"It felt good scoring a goal after a long time. We played well throughout the game and deserved the win. It was a very important match for us", he told Goal.com.
The Red Lizards had gone on an unbeaten run of 11 matches in the I-League that included 6 wins and 5 draws which was ultimately ended by Sporting Clube de Goa in round 18.
"Yes, we went unbeaten for 11 matches but our targets for the season are not long term. We take it match by match. All matches are very important", the Japanese added when asked if the unbeaten run coud spark new targets for the season.
Last year, in a 3-2 win over Dempo it was Arata Izumi's brace (that included a fantastic winner) that effectively ended Armando Colaco's aspirations of retaining the title for Dempo SC.
On being asked if Sunday's winner could have similiar effects on the Goan outfit's championship hopes this season, the 29 year old Japanese laughed and said, "It was only one match! I cannot comment anything, it may or may not affect. But obviously they are not connected!"
The former East Bengal man has worked with Derrick Pereira in the past and praised the manager's relationship with players and staff.
"He is a very good manager and maintains good relations with everybody at the club."
The 5 ft 9 inches midfielder has been at Pune FC since 2009 and dreams of playing at the Asian level with the Balewadi Sports Complex outfit: "We are a big club. We should have higher targets and I want to play in the Asian Champions League someday".
Izumi is a popular man around Pune and is adored by the fans, to which he said, "I love them (the fans). They love me."
Follow Sarthak Dubey on
How do you stay up to date with football when on the move? With http://m.goal.com – your best source for mobile coverage of the beautiful game.
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