Top five Japanese players in ISL history

The Samurai Blue have contributed excellent players to ISL.

Japan have always been a force to reckon with in Asian football and more recently their resurgence turned a chapter in global football as well. Many Japanese players have shown their skills in the Indian Super League (ISL). Players like Wataru Endo, Junya Ito and Takumi Minamino all symbolize a generation of resilient late-bloomers. Although two of those have donned the red of Liverpool, newer players like Kaoru Mitoma have captivated the world with their electric brand of football. 

Nevertheless, India has been blessed with its fair share of Japanese players. Here are the top five Japanese players in ISL history. 

5. Arata Izumi

Probably the most prolific Japanese player in the league, Arata Izumi was in India for the longest time of all the other participants in this league. However, by the time he moved to the ISL he already acquired an Indian passport.

Regardless, Arata was a top-notch trequartista, filling in the gaps as a false 9 or behind the wingers. He was renowned for his crossing accuracy and played for ATK and Kerala Blasters. With ATK Arata turned in five goals and one assist in only 11 games, while he managed only one assist with the Tuskers. The midfielder hung up his boots in 2018 and is currently the interim manager for Inter Kashi in the Durand Cup 2024.

4. Rei Tachikawa

Despite being one of the most recent entries into the Indian Super League, Rei Tachikawa became a Jamshedpur FC fan-favourite. The attacking midfielder chipped in with five goals and helped them get over teams like Hyderabad FC.

His goalscoring output is impressive, especially since he is usually employed in attacking midfield. Tachikawa’s high ball-carrying volume as a No. 8 usually unlocks defences and makes him an exciting player to watch.

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3. Daisuke Sakai

Tachikawa’s Japanese compatriot, however, donned Kerala’s yellow for the ISL 2023-24 season. Daisuke Sakai is in comparison a rapid energetic winger who fits the intense attacking philosophy of the Tuskers.

His three goals and one assist might not speak a lot but 18 chances, 17 take-ons and key passes each summarise what a bright spark he was in attack. Although Sakai departed for PSM Makassar, he remains one of the best Japanese players in ISL history.

2. Cy Goddard

Hailing from London, Cy Goddard plied his trade for Tottenham Hotspur‘s youth team between 2006 and 2018. The winger has an impressive CV featuring the likes of Benevento, Central Coast Mariners and Detroit City FC. He first came to the ISL on loan for Mumbai City in ISL 2020/21.

Although he took time to get settled he had a good rapport with his teammates, scoring once, assisting twice and appearing 19 times for the eventual League Winners’ Shield and ISL champions that season. He returned last season for Sergio Lobera’s Odisha FC. He scored only once for them, in the 5-2 thrashing of Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the AFC Cup. 

1. Katsumi Yusa

Like Arata, Katsumi is yet another mainstay who played throughout the transitional phase in Indian football. A byproduct of the long-ball and counter-attack generation, Katsumi Yusa played in a double pivot as one of the No. 6s more often than not.

The midfielder is better remembered for captaining Mohun Bagan’s I-League title-winning run in 2014-15, but he featured for NorthEast United in the ISL as well. Yusa scored on his debut against Kerala Blasters in a 1-0 victory and clinched the Man of the Match award. 

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