Som Kumar Explained
Som Kumar |
Fullname: | Som Kumar |
Birth Date: | 2005 2, df=yes[1] |
Birth Place: | Bangalore, India |
Position: | Goalkeeper[2] |
Currentclub: | Kerala Blasters |
Clubnumber: | 31 |
Youthyears1: | 2018 |
Youthclubs1: | Bengaluru |
Youthyears2: | 2018–2019 |
Youthclubs2: | Boca Juniors Academy |
Youthyears3: | 2019–2020 |
Youthclubs3: | BYFL Academy |
Youthyears4: | 2020–2021 |
Youthclubs4: | NK Bravo |
Youthyears5: | 2021–2022 |
Youthclubs5: | NK Krka |
Youthyears6: | 2022 |
Youthclubs6: | NK Bravo |
Youthyears7: | 2022–2023 |
Youthclubs7: | NK Krka |
Youthyears8: | 2023–2024 |
Youthclubs8: | Olimpija Ljubljana |
Years1: | 2024– |
Clubs1: | Kerala Blasters |
Caps1: | 0 |
Goals1: | 0 |
Nationalyears1: | 2020–2022 |
Nationalcaps1: | 11 |
Nationalgoals1: | 0 |
Nationalyears2: | 2023– |
Nationalteam2: | India U20 |
Nationalcaps2: | 4 |
Nationalgoals2: | 0 |
Pcupdate: | 19:00, 12 June 2024 (UTC) |
Som Kumar (born 27 February 2005) is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Indian Super League club Kerala Blasters. He represented the India under-20 national team.[3]
Club career
Som began his playing career in hometown Bangalore, at the age of 13.[4] In 2018, he appeared with U13 side of Bengaluru.[4] He then played for Boca Juniors U-13, and BYFL Academy team.[4] Kumar's competitive club career began in 2020, when he travelled to Slovenia.[5] At first, he signed with U17 team of NK Bravo. With Bravo, he took part in an U15 summer tournament in Italy. In that competition, he became prominent in a match against Bologna U17 in their 1–1 draw, in which he saved multiple penalties.[6] [7] He was then loaned out to another NextGen Liga club NK Krka, signing with their U17 team.[7] He helped the team achieving third place in the league.[8] He later appeared with U19 teams of both NK Bravo and NK Krka until moving to Olimpija Ljubljana.[7] [9]
In February 2023, Som signed a contract with U19 side of NK Olimpija Ljubljana.[10] [11] He joined the team as their third-choice goalkeeper in mid-season transfer.[7] After training with an Indian club, he joined Olimpija Ljubljana denying a move to the Indian Super League, stating "That was a good experience for me; it helped me understand how an ISL team works, and they offered me a contract. It's nothing that I have against the club or the ISL, but at the moment, I think my focus is to stay in Europe and train in Europe."[12] He made his official league debut on 28 July, against NK Aluminij.[13] He soon became regular starter for the club after showcasing his goalkeeping abilities in 2022–23 NextGen Liga.[7] He also made it to the team's UEFA European Under-19 Championship squad, alongside friendly tour to Austria in June.[14] In July, Som was called up to the senior squad, but remained uncapped in Slovenian PrvaLiga.
In June 2024, Som was signed by the Indian Super League club Kerala Blasters on a four-year deal, till 2028.[15] [16] He became the first Blasters' signing under new coach Mikael Stahre.[17] Som made his senior debut on 1 August with Kerala Blasters in the 2024 Durand Cup match against Mumbai City FC, where he kept a clean-sheet as the Blasters won the match with a record-breaking score of 8–0.[18]
International career
Som is a former member of both Indian national under-16 and under-17 teams.[19] [20] He was part of India under-16 team's tour to the United Arab Emirates, in which he appeared in their 4–2 win against Sharjah U18 on 36 January 2021, coming as a substitute for Lionel Daryl Rymmei on 62nd minute.[21] He later earned call-up to the Shanmugam Venkatesh managed India under-20 team to participate at the 2022 SAFF U-20 Championship in Odisha.[22] [23] [24] He made crucial saves in their semi-final win against the Maldives.[25] At the final on 5 August, they clinched title defeating Bangladesh 5–2.[26] [27] [28] He won best goalkeeper award in that edition.[24]
Som was also included in India's 2023 AFC U-20 Asian Cup qualification squad.[29] They travelled to Kuwait in October, faced Australia, Iraq and Kuwait, winning a single match, against hosts.[30] [31] A year later, he was again included into the team by head coach Shuvendu Panda for their 2023 SAFF U-19 Championship campaign in Kathmandu, Nepal.[32] [33] [34] They clinched their second consecutive title on 30 September, beating Pakistan 3–0.[35]
Personal life
Som was born and grew up in Bangalore.[36] His parents Vivek Kumar and Shama Kittur, both are former national-level badminton players.[36]
Career statistics
Club
Honours
NK Krka U-17
India U-20
2022,[37] 2023[38]
Individual
See also
References
Cited sources
Further reading
External links
Notes and References
- Web site: Player Profile — Club Details: Som Kumar. the-aiff.com. All India Football Federation. 23 November 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20220926074947/https://www.the-aiff.com/players/profile/67951. New Delhi. 26 September 2022.
- Web site: Som Kumar – Player Summary – Career Statistics – Matches. int.soccerway.com. Soccerway. 27 November 2023. 27 November 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231127090734/https://us.soccerway.com/players/som-kumar/876090/.
- Web site: Alen. Philip Mathew. Som Kumar reveals why he chose Europe over ISL. Bengaluru. khelnow.com. Khel Now News. 28 July 2023. 11 October 2023. 28 July 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230728145313/https://khelnow.com/football/2023-07-indian-football-som-kumar-interview-part-4.
- Web site: Alen. Philip Mathew. Playing high pressure games in Europe helped during SAFF U-20 Championships, reveals Som Kumar. Bengaluru. khelnow.com. Khel Now News. 22 July 2023. 11 October 2023. 27 November 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231127084610/https://khelnow.com/football/2023-07-indian-football-som-kumar-interview-part-3.
- Web site: Alen. Philip Mathew. Som Kumar opens up on challenges faced while living overseas and adapting new lifestyle. Bengaluru. khelnow.com. Khel Now News. 19 July 2023. 11 October 2023. 27 November 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231127085356/https://khelnow.com/football/2023-07-indian-football-som-kumar-interview-part-2.
- Web site: Alen. Philip Mathew. Som Kumar reveals how chat with India youth coach Felix D'Souza influenced move to Europe. Bengaluru. khelnow.com. Khel Now News. 16 July 2023. 11 October 2023. 27 November 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231127104605/https://khelnow.com/football/2023-07-indian-football-som-kumar-interview-part-1.
- Web site: EXCLUSIVE: Champions League Qualifiers at SIGHT, Indian goalkeeper Som Kumar SCRIPTS history. 11 June 2023. 26 August 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231127101506/https://www.insidesport.in/exclusive-champions-league-qualifiers-at-sight-indian-goalkeeper-som-kumar-scripts-history/. 27 November 2023. Triyasha. Chatterjee. Kolkata. insidesport.in. Inside Sport India News.
- Web site: Riddhiman. Sarkar. Top three players who are the "next big thing" in Indian football. Bengaluru. khelnow.com. Khel Now News. 11 July 2023. 11 October 2023. 27 November 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231127144502/https://khelnow.com/football/2023-07-indian-football-players-who-are-next-big-thing.
- Web site: Young Indian Goalkeepers Look to Make a Mark in SAFF U20 Championship. news18.com. 20 July 2022. 16 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220724042605/https://www.news18.com/news/football/young-indian-goalkeepers-look-to-make-a-mark-in-saff-u20-championship-5591173.html. 24 July 2022.
- Web site: KLUBSKA TEKMOVANJA — 1. SLOVENSKA MLADINSKA LIGA 22/23. nzs.si. 18 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230318052730/https://www.nzs.si/tekmovanja/?action=igralec&id_menu=722&id_kluba=832&id_igralca=215861. 18 March 2023. sl.
- Web site: Som Kumar: From Bengaluru to Slovenia – A Goalkeeper's Journey to European Football. Adil. Husain. sportzcraazy.com. Sport Crazy News. 27 July 2023. 27 November 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231127090144/https://www.sportzcraazy.com/som-kumar-from-bengaluru-to-slovenia-a-goalkeepers-journey-to-european-football/. 27 November 2023.
- Web site: Som Kumar, 18 Years Old Indian Prodigy shares reasons for choosing Europe over ISL. 29 July 2023. Ankush. Mallick. 26 September 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231128142810/https://technosports.co.in/som-kumar-shares-cause-choosing-europe-over-isl/. 28 November 2023. technosports.co.in. Techno Sports India. KhelNow.
- Web site: Player Profile :: Career Statistics :: Achievements :: Club Information. besoccer.com. BESoccer. 26 September 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231129143151/https://www.besoccer.com/player/som-kumar-3477122. 29 November 2023.
- Web site: Olimpija začela priprave: Maria Kvesića ni bilo na spregled, zraven fantje z evropskega prvenstva in tudi 18-letni vratar iz Indije. Olimpija started preparations: Mario Kvesić was conspicuously absent, along with the boys from the European Championship and also the 18-year-old goalkeeper from India. planetnogomet.si. Planet Nogomet Slovenia. sl. 12 June 2023. 23 November 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231128133438/https://planetnogomet.si/novice/olimpija-priprave-som-kumar/. 28 November 2023.
- Web site: ISL Transfers: Kerala Blasters sign goalkeeper Som Kumar from NK Olympija Ljubljana. 11 June 2024. 12 June 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240612062510/https://thebridge.in/football/kerala-blasters-sign-goalkeeper-som-kumar-nk-olympija-ljubljana-47757. 12 June 2024. The Bridge.
- Web site: Kerala Blasters sign goalkeeper Som Kumar . 2024-06-14 . Onmanorama . 12 June 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240613191120/https://www.onmanorama.com/sports/football/2024/06/12/kerala-blasters-sign-goalkeeper-som-kumar.html . 13 June 2024 .
- Web site: Sportstar . Team . 2024-06-12 . ISL: Kerala Blasters signs young goalkeeper Som Kumar on four-year deal . 2024-06-14 . Sportstar . en . 12 June 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240612140650/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/isl-kerala-blasters-signs-som-kumar-first-signing-under-mikael-stahre-kbfc-indian-football-transfer-news/article68281488.ece .
- Web site: Sportstar . Team . 2024-08-01 . Mumbai City vs Kerala Blasters highlights, Durand Cup 2024: MCFC 0-8 KBFC; Noah, Peprah score hattricks in Blasters’ biggest win ever . 2024-08-06 . Sportstar . en.
- Web site: Sandeep. Menon. Winds of change in Bengaluru football?. Bengaluru. deccanherald.com. The Deccan Herald. 23 January 2021. 11 October 2021. 11 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211011152430/https://www.deccanherald.com/amp/sports/football/winds-of-change-in-bengaluru-football-942280.html.
- News: India: U-16 Men — Squad vs Sharjah FC U18, 26th January, 2021. 23 July 2022. the-aiff.com. New Delhi. All India Football Federation. 2 October 2023. 22 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230322173705/https://www.the-aiff.com/national-team/men/u16.
- News: Friendly Match — India 4–2 UAE U18 :: 2021-01-26 (17:10:00); Al Riqa Suburb — Sharjah, UAE. 26 January 2021. the-aiff.com. New Delhi. All India Football Federation. 2 October 2023. 30 November 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231130102846/https://www.the-aiff.com/match-center/nt/164.
- News: Venkatesh announces squad of 23 for SAFF U20 Championship. 23 July 2022. the-aiff.com. All India Football Federation. Bhubaneswar. 2 October 2023. 23 July 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220723093251/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/venkatesh-announces-squad-of-23-for-saff-u20-championship.
- Web site: 2022-07-23 . India announce squad for SAFF U-20 Championship . 2022-08-11 . deccanherald.com . The Deccan Herald . en . 11 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220811034200/https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/other-sports/india-announce-squad-for-saff-u-20-championship-1129422.html . IANS .
- Web site: 2022 SAFF U-20 Championship: Gurkirat scores four as India beat Bangaldesh 5–2 in the final. goal.com. 9 August 2022. 5 August 2022. Goal. Soham. Mukherjee. 27 November 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231127080739/https://www.goal.com/en/news/2022-saff-u-20-championship-india-fixtures-table-top-scorers-stadium/bltd512e9dee2af49e6.
- Web site: India beat Maldives, book spot in SAFF U20 C'ship final with Bangladesh. IANS. 5 August 2023. 27 November 2023. thestatesman.com. The Statesman. Bhubaneswar. 5 December 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231205172615/https://www.thestatesman.com/sports/india-beat-maldives-book-spot-saff-u20-cship-final-bangladesh-1503096405.html.
- Web site: India beats Bangladesh to clinch U20 SAFF Championship. sportstar.thehindu.com. Sportstar. 5 August 2022. 5 August 2022. 21:34 IST. TEAM SPORTSTAR. Bhubaneswar, Odisha. https://web.archive.org/web/20220805163036/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/india-beats-bangladesh-5-1-to-lift-saff-u20-championship-title-gurkirat-singh-football/article65732385.ece. 5 August 2022.
- Web site: NXGN India: Who is Gurkirat Singh? The starlet that won the golden boot and MVP award in SAFF U-20 Championship. goal.com. 9 August 2022. 7 August 2022. Goal. Soham. Mukherjee. 9 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220809070132/https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/nxgn-india-who-is-gurkirat-singh-the-golden-boot-and-mvp/blt5922c381d7fcd425.
- Web site: India defeat Bangladesh to win SAFF U-20 Championship 2022 . 2023-07-22 . khelnow.com. 5 August 2022 . Khel Now . en . Sattyik . Sarkar . 22 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230722103748/https://khelnow.com/football/saff-u-20-championship-final-india-vs-bangladesh-match-report .
- Web site: India announces 23-member squad for SAFF U20 Championship. sportstar.thehindu.com. Sportstar. 23 July 2022. 15 November 2022. 15:29 IST. TEAM SPORTSTAR. Bhubaneswar, Odisha. https://web.archive.org/web/20221006035740/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/indian-football/india-announces-23-member-squad-for-saff-u20-championship-indian-football-news/article65674192.ece. 6 October 2022.
- Web site: AFC U20 Asian Cup Qualifiers LIVE: India brace for ULTIMATE Kuwait test — Check Out India U20 vs Kuwait U20 Preview, Prediction, LIVE Stream-Follow LIVE. 18 October 2022. 26 August 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20221027015939/https://www.insidesport.in/afc-u20-asian-cup-qualifiers-live-india-brace-for-ultimate-kuwait-test-check-out-india-u20-vs-kuwait-u20-preview-prediction-live-stream-follow-live/. 27 October 2022. Triyasha. Chatterjee. Kolkata. insidesport.in. Inside Sport India News.
- Web site: India beat Kuwait 2–1, win but fail to qualify for next year's AFC U-20 Asian Cup. 19 October 2022. 30 November 2023. PTI. hindustantimes.com. The Hindustan Times. https://web.archive.org/web/20221019075141/https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/football/india-beat-kuwait-2-1-win-but-fail-to-qualify-for-next-year-s-afc-u-20-asian-cup-101666162369550.html. 19 October 2022.
- News: Shuvendu Panda names 23-member Indian squad for 2023 SAFF U-19 Championship . 17 October 2022 . the-aiff.com . New Delhi . All India Football Federation . 11 October 2022 . 17 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221017140116/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/shanmugam-venkatesh-names-23-member-indian-squad-for-afc-u-20-asian-cup-qualifiers .
- Web site: SAFF Championship: Groups revealed for U-16, U-19 youth events . 22 July 2023 . Khel Now . 22 July 2023 . 22 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230722101958/https://khelnow.com/football/2023-07-indian-football-saff-championship-u-16-19-groups .
- Web site: Draw revealed for SAFF U16 and U19 Championships . 22 July 2023 . The AIFF . 22 July 2023 . 22 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230722101630/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/draw-revealed-for-saff-u16-and-u19-championships .
- News: INDIA WINS SAFF U19 CHAMPIONSHIP 2023 TITLE. 30 September 2023. saffederation.org. South Asian Football Federation. Kathmandu. 2 October 2023. 15 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231015153631/https://saffederation.org/news/read/111.
- Web site: Som Sets The Bar High. 27 July 2023. 27 November 2023. timesofindia.indiatimes.com. The Times of India. TNN. Manuja. Veerappa. 23 October 2023. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20231023142846/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/indian-super-league/top-stories/som-sets-the-bar-high/articleshow/102161284.cms?from=mdr. Bengaluru.
- Web site: Sarkar . Uttiyo . 2022-08-07 . SAFF U-20 Championship 2022 review: India retain title . 2022-08-11 . khelnow.com . Khel Now News . en-US . 11 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220811051042/https://khelnow.com/football/saff-u-20-championship-2022-review-india-retain-title . Bhubaneswar .
- Web site: CHAMPS!!! Triple-strike Blue Colts send crippled Pakistan packing. Kathmandu. Akhil. Rawat. the-aiff.com. 30 September 2023. 28 October 2023. All India Football Federation. 29 November 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231129160252/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/champs-triple-strike-blue-colts-send-crippled-pakistan-packing.
- Web site: SAFF U20 CHAMPIONSHIP 2022 — Overview. 14 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230214135601/https://saffederation.org/summary/1/9. saffederation.org. South Asian Football Federation. 27 November 2023.