Naoki Soma

Naoki Soma
相馬直樹
Personal information
Full name	Naoki Soma
Date of birth	July 19, 1971 (age 50)
Place of birth	Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan
Height	1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s)	Midfielder, Defender
Youth career
1987–1989	Shimizu Higashi High School
1990–1993	Waseda University
Senior career*
National team
Teams managed
2010	FC Machida Zelvia
2011–2012	Kawasaki Frontale
2014–2019	FC Machida Zelvia
2020–	Kashima Antlers (assistant)
Kashima Antlers
	* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Naoki Soma (相馬直樹, Sōma Naoki, born July 19, 1971) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He played for Japan national team.

Club career[]

Soma was born in Shizuoka on July 19, 1971. After graduating from Waseda University, he joined Kashima Antlers in 1994. He played as left side-back and became one of the main player in glorious era of the club. In 1990s, the club won the champions in 1996, 1998 J1 League, 1997 J.League Cup and 1997 Emperor's Cup. He was also selected Best Eleven for 4 years in a row (1995-1998). In 2000, the club won all three major title in Japan; J1 League, J.League Cup and Emperor's Cup. However at Emperor's Cup in December 2000, he got hurt and he could not play about a year. Although he came back in the latter half of 2001, his opportunity to play decreased behind Augusto. In 2002, he moved to Tokyo Verdy on loan. He returned to Kashima Antlers in 2003 and moved to Kawasaki Frontale in 2004. At Kawasaki Frontale, he played as defensive midfielder and sweeper. He retired end of 2005 season.

National team career[]

On May 28, 1995, Soma debuted for Japan national team against Ecuador. After debut, he became a regular player as left side-back and left midfielder. In 1996, he played in all matches included 1996 Asian Cup. At 1998 World Cup qualification in 1997, Japan won the qualify for 1998 World Cup first time Japan's history. He played in all matches at 1998 World Cup. He also played at 1999 Copa America. He played 58 games and scored 4 goals for Japan until 1999.^[1]

Coaching career[]

Soma retired at the end of the 2005 season. After working as a TV pundit, Soma managed the Japan Football League side FC Machida Zelvia in 2010. He held a managerial post in charge of J1 League side Kawasaki Frontale prior to the 2011 season. On April 12, 2012, Kawasaki dismiss coach Naoki Soma after performing 'far below expectations'. The 40-year-old coach was sacked with the club's president stating the team were performing 'far below expectations' having aimed to win the title this term. In 2014, he signed with J3 League side FC Machida Zelvia again. He led the club to won the 2nd place in 2015 and promoted to J2 League.

Club statistics[]

Club	Season	League		Emperor's Cup		J.League Cup		Continental		Total
Club	Season	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Kashima Antlers	1994	28	0	1	0	1	0	–		30	0
	1995	50	3	4	0	–		–		54	3
	1996	30	2	3	0	14	0	–		47	2
	1997	21	0	5	0	2	1	–		28	1
	1998	34	1	4	0	1	0	–		39	1
	1999	30	0	2	0	7	1	–		39	1
	2000	30	2	4	0	7	0	–		41	2
	2001	7	0	3	0	1	0	–		11	0
Tokyo Verdy	2002	27	0	0	0	6	0	–		33	0
Kashima Antlers	2003	20	2	0	0	3	1	3	0	26	3
Kawasaki Frontale	2004	15	0	1	0	–		–		16	0
Kawasaki Frontale	2005	12	0	2	0	3	0	–		17	0
Total		304	10	29	0	45	3	3	0	381	13

National team[]

^[1]

Japan national team
Year	Apps	Goals
1995	9	0
1996	13	2
1997	21	1
1998	10	1
1999	5	0
Total	58	4

International goals

Goal	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1.	29 May 1996	Fukuoka, Japan	Mexico	3–2	3–2	1996 Kirin Cup
2.	12 December 1996	Al Ain, UAE	China PR	1–0	1–0	1996 AFC Asian Cup
3.	25 March 1997	Muscat, Oman	Macau	3–0	10–0	1998 FIFA World Cup qualification
4.	17 May 1998	Tokyo, Japan	Paraguay	1–1	1–1	1998 Kirin Cup