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Roy Krishna

Summary

Roy Christopher Krishna (born 30 August 1987) is a Fijian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Indian Super League club Odisha and the Fiji national team, which he captains. He is the most-capped and highest-scoring Fijian footballer of all time. In 2022, he became the first player to have ever reached 50 caps for the Fiji national team.[3]

Roy Krishna
Krishna in 2016
Personal information
Full name Roy Christopher Krishna[1]
Date of birth (1987-08-30) 30 August 1987 (age 36)[1]
Place of birth Labasa, Fiji
Height 1.69 m (5 ft 7 in)[2]
Position(s) Striker
Team information
Current team
 Odisha
Number 21
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2007 Labasa 10 (7)
2008–2013 Waitakere United 75 (55)
2013 Auckland City 4 (1)
2014–2019 Wellington Phoenix 122 (51)
2019–2020 ATK 21 (15)
2020–2022 ATK Mohun Bagan 39 (21)
2022–2023 Bengaluru 22 (6)
2023– Odisha 22 (12)
International career‡
2007 Fiji U20 6 (8)
2008–2016 Fiji U23 5 (3)
2007– Fiji 52 (36)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 02:06, 14 April 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 21 March 2024

Early life edit

Krishna was born on 30 August 1987 in the village of Siberia, Labasa to Bal and Sarita Krishna.[4][5] His great-grandparents come from Kolkata, India and were part of the labour force controlled by the British, which eventually led them to Fiji in the late 19th century.[6][7] He practised football since primary school at St Mary’s and earned his first football shoes at the age of 5, gifted by his father at the expense of the family’s weekly budget for rice.[8][9] Krishna also played rugby with his friends before his parents asked him to change sports. Immersed in the Indian culture, he tried to master the dholak and played alongside his father, who played the harmonium and sang songs derived from the Ramayana. Due to the country's limited resources and lack of experienced footballers, he idolised Fijian striker Simon Peters, who played for Labasa FC.[10]

Club career edit

Early career edit

Krishna joined the New Zealand Football Championship (NZFC) side Waitakere United from Fijian local outfit Labasa FC in January 2008.

In May 2008, he spent two weeks training with the Wellington Phoenix,[11] but was not offered a contract.

In March 2009, it was reported that PSV Eindhoven was interested in signing him.[12] However he said professional football in New Zealand with the Phoenix was his preferred option because he was not ready to move to Europe as he was still learning English and was not ready for another language. Later, in June 2013, Krishna was offered a one-month trial by EFL Championship club Derby County; however, he was unable to attend due to restrictions imposed upon him due to his recent obtainment of New Zealand permanent residency.[13]

In his 6 seasons with Waitakere United, Krishna managed 55 goals in 75 appearances and has won the NZFC Golden Boot in the 2012–13 season.[14]

Auckland City edit

In September 2013, it was announced that he had joined Waitakere's local rivals Auckland City FC for the upcoming ASB Premiership season.[15] On 12 December 2013, he scored Auckland City's goal in a 2–1 defeat to Raja Casablanca in the 2013 FIFA Club World Cup, becoming the first Fijian to score at the finals of a FIFA tournament.[16]

Wellington Phoenix edit

On 7 January 2014, Krishna signed with the A-League's Wellington Phoenix until the end of the 2013–14 season as an injury replacement for Paul Ifill,[17] scoring his debut goal on 16 March 2014 against the Melbourne Heart, beating Andrew Redmayne with a powerful drive into the bottom right corner. The match ended in a 2–2 draw.[18] His performance in the match earned him the A-League's player of the week honors.[19] Four days later, Krishna came to terms on a new 2-year contract with the Phoenix.[20]

On 29 February 2016, Krishna extended his contract with the club, agreeing to a 2-year deal that would keep him at Wellington until the end of the 2017–18 season.[21] He subsequently signed a 1-year extension on 15 February 2018.[22]

On 18 April 2018, Krishna was named Wellington Phoenix Player of the Year and his fourth-round goal against Brisbane Roar was deemed the team's Goal of the Year for the 2017–18 season.[23]

On 2 December 2018, Krishna became the outright leading goal scorer for the Wellington Phoenix, overtaking previous leader Paul Ifill's 33 goals for the club.[24] Krishna made A-League history on 19 January 2019, becoming the first player to score 3 consecutive braces.[25]

On 13 May 2019, Krishna was awarded the Johnny Warren Medal for his performances in the 2018–19 A-League season. On 27 May 2019, Krishna announced his departure from Wellington Phoenix after a long-term deal was not reached.[26]

ATK edit

On 18 June 2019, Krishna announced he had signed a one-year deal with ATK (Now ATK Mohunbagan), which played in the Indian Super League.[27] Krishna got off the mark with a goal against Hyderabad in what was only his second match for ATK, and thereafter, it became a familiar sight. Despite a minor injury problem, he finished with 15 goals, the highest in the league alongside Nerijus Valskis and Bartholomew Ogbeche, and six assists from 21 games. Krishna was influential in ATK reaching the final in his first season with the club, scoring a goal in the second leg of their semi-final victory against Bengaluru on 8 March 2020.[28] He also played a pivotal role in ATK winning their record-breaking third league title with an assist in their 3–1 win over Chennaiyin in the final.[29]

ATK Mohun Bagan edit

Following the 2019–20 season, the team ATK was dissolved and its brand got merged with the more than a century old club, Mohun Bagan to form ATK Mohun Bagan. In ATK Mohun Bagan's first Indian Super League match on 20 November 2020, Krishna scored the club's first goal in ISL and was awarded the man of the match in their 1–0 victory over Kerala Blasters.[30] He scored in the club's next match on 27 November, the inaugural Indian Super League Kolkata Derby against East Bengal; ATK Mohun Bagan won the match 2–0.[31] Krishna went on to help his team finish second in the league stage and grab up the runners up spot in the playoffs, also winning the golden ball award for contributing 22 goals in 23 games.[32] On Mohun Bagan Day 2021, he extended his contract for another year at the club and was also awarded Best Footballer of the Year by Mohun Bagan. In 2021 AFC Cup Krishna scored 2 goals for the team in the group stage.

In his second season with the club, he was diagnosed with COVID-19 and played only a few matches due to recurring injuries. He scored only 7 goals in what had been an underwhelming league season for him so far. In the 2022 AFC Cup, he scored his only goal in the tournament during his last match with the club against Maziya. On 3 June 2022, his contract expired ahead of the upcoming season and parted ways with the club.[33]

Bengaluru edit

In July 2022, Krishna penned a two-year deal, the second of which is an optional extension with Bengaluru.[34] On 17 August, he scored on his debut against Jamshedpur in the Durand Cup, which ended in a 2–1 win.[35][36]

Odisha edit

On 17 July 2023, Odisha announced the signing of Krishna on a one-year deal.[37] As of 5 February 2024, Krishna is the current goal scoring leader in the 2023–24 season.[38]

International career edit

Krishna made his debut for Fiji at the South Pacific Games 2007 and he has played for them in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification tournament.[39]

In 2010, Krishna was also called up to the national futsal team for the 2010 OFC Futsal Championship.[40]

On 16 July 2016, Krishna was named as one of the three over-aged players of the Fiji under-23 team for the 2016 Summer Olympics, alongside Simione Tamanisau and Alvin Singh.[41] On 7 August 2016, he scored the team's only goal in the final tournament's campaign, against Mexico. Krishna's goal was Fiji's first ever goal in the Olympic Games.[42]

In 2021 Krishna was named Oceania Football Confederation ambassador.[43]

Personal life edit

Krishna is an Indo-Fijian. After living in New Zealand for ten years, he gained his citizenship in December 2018.[44] Krishna is trilingual: he can speak fluent English, Fijian and Hindi.

In July 2018, Krishna married Indo-Fijian model and media business owner Naziah Ali.[45] They welcomed their first child in 2022.

Career statistics edit

Club edit

As of match played 16 April 2024[46]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Waitakere United 2007–08 NZ Football Championship 4 0 0 0 0 0 – 4 0
2008–09 NZ Football Championship 14 11 0 0 3[b] 3 1[c] 0 18 14
2009–10 NZ Football Championship 16 8 0 0 6[b] 1 – 22 9
2010–11 NZ Football Championship 11 6 0 0 4[b] 2 – 15 8
2011–12 NZ Football Championship 16 11 0 0 6[b] 5 – 22 16
2012–13 NZ Football Championship 14 19 0 0 8[b] 6 – 22 25
Total 75 55 0 0 27 17 1 0 103 72
Auckland City 2013–14 NZ Football Championship 4 1 0 0 – 1[c] 1 5 2
Wellington Phoenix 2013–14 A-League 9 1 0 0 – – 9 1
2014–15 A-League 24 9 0 0 – – 24 9
2015–16 A-League 16 6 1 1 – – 17 7
2016–17 A-League 25 12 0 0 – – 25 12
2017–18 A-League 21 4 1 0 – – 22 4
2018–19 A-League 27 19 1 0 – – 28 19
Total 122 51 3 1 – – 125 52
ATK 2019–20 Indian Super League 21 15 – – – 21 15
ATK Mohun Bagan 2020–21 Indian Super League 23 14 – – – 23 14
2021–22 Indian Super League 16 7 – 7[d] 3 – 23 10
Total 39 21 – 7 3 – 46 24
Bengaluru 2022–23 Indian Super League 22 6 5 1 – 6[e] 3 33 10
Odisha 2023–24 Indian Super League 22 12 5 0 8[d] 2 0 0 29 14
Career total 304 161 13 2 42 22 8 4 367 189
  1. ^ Includes Australia Cup, Super Cup
  2. ^ a b c d e Appearances in OFC Champions League
  3. ^ a b Appearance in FIFA Club World Cup
  4. ^ a b Appearances in AFC Cup
  5. ^ Appearances in Durand Cup

International edit

As of match played 21 March 2024
National team Year Apps Goals
Fiji 2007 8 4
2008 3 2
2009 0 0
2010 0 0
2011 8 8
2012 3 0
2013 0 0
2014 0 0
2015 1 1
2016 4 4
2017 5 1
2018 3 2
2019 6 7
2020 0 0
2021 0 0
2022 7 3
2023 2 3
2024 2 1
Total 52 36
Scores and results list Fiji's goal tally first.[47][48][49]
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 25 August 2007 National Soccer Stadium, Apia, Samoa   Tuvalu
1–0
16–0
 2007 South Pacific Games
2.
3–0
3.
5–0
4. 5 September 2007   Vanuatu
3–0
3–0
5. 19 November 2008 Churchill Park, Lautoka, Fiji   New Zealand
1–0
 2–0 2008 OFC Nations Cup
6.
2–0
7. 17 August 2011 Thomson Park, Tavua, Fiji   Samoa
1–0
3–0
 Friendly
8. 18 August 2011 National Stadium, Suva, Fiji
1–0
 5–1
9.
2–0
10.
3–0
11. 30 August 2011 Stade Boewa, Boulari Bay, New Caledonia   Kiribati
1–0
9–0
 2011 Pacific Games
12.
4–0
13.
7–0
14. 3 September 2011   Cook Islands
1–0
4–1
15. 10 November 2015 Port Vila Municipal Stadium, Port Vila, Vanuatu   Vanuatu
1–2
1–2
 Friendly
16. 28 May 2016 Sir John Guise Stadium, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea   New Zealand
1–2
1–3
 2016 OFC Nations Cup
17. 31 May 2016   Solomon Islands
1–0
1–0
18. 4 June 2016   Vanuatu
2–2
2–3
19. 26 June 2016 Prince Charles Park, Nadi, Fiji   Malaysia
1–1
1–1
 Friendly
20. 7 June 2017 Churchill Park, Lautoka, Fiji   New Caledonia
2–2
2–2
 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
21. 22 March 2018 Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines   Philippines
2–3
2–3
 Friendly
22. 5 September 2018 National Stadium, Suva, Fiji   Solomon Islands 1–1 1–1
23. 24 March 2019 Churchill Park, Lautoka, Fiji   Mauritius
1–0
1–0
24. 8 July 2019 National Soccer Stadium, Apia, Samoa   Tahiti
2–0
2–1
 2019 Pacific Games
25. 15 July 2019   Tuvalu
9–1
10–1
26.
10–1
27. 18 July 2019   Solomon Islands
3–0
 4–4
28.
4–2
29. 20 July 2019   Papua New Guinea
1–1
1–1
30. 28 March 2022 Hamad bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha, Qatar   Vanuatu
1–1
 2–1 Friendly
31.
2–1
32. 24 September 2022 Luganville Soccer Stadium, Luganville, Vanuatu   Solomon Islands
1–2
2–2
 2022 MSG Prime Minister's Cup
33. 18 November 2023 SIFF Academy Field, Honiara, Solomon Islands   Northern Mariana Islands
2–0
10–0
 2023 Pacific Games
34.
3–0
35.
5–0
36. 21 March 2024 Lawson Tama Stadium, Honiara, Solomon Islands   Solomon Islands
2–0
2-0
 Friendly

Honours edit

Waitakere United

Auckland City

ATK

Bengaluru

Individual

References edit

  1. ^ a b "FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2008 Presented By TOYOTA — List Of Players" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 5 December 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 December 2008.
  2. ^ "Roy Krishna". Wellington Phoenix FC. Archived from the original on 10 February 2017. Retrieved 20 February 2017.
  3. ^ https://www.fijifootball.com.fj/roy-krishna-makes-history-first-to-reach-50-caps-for-fiji/
  4. ^ "The wonders of Roy Krishna". Fiji Sun. 26 July 2008.
  5. ^ "Opinion: Roy Krishna finally drops Fijian persona to lift game". NZ Herald. 14 July 2023.
  6. ^ "Fijian striker with ancestral roots in Kolkata joins ATK". The Times of India. 18 June 2019.
  7. ^ "Roy's goal: Tracing India roots". Hindustan Times. 5 July 2019.
  8. ^ "Krishna's parents proud of their son's achievement". Fiji Broadcasting Corporation. 14 May 2019.
  9. ^ Singh, Zanzeer (15 May 2019). "Bal has no regrets". FijiTimes.
  10. ^ "Bengaluru FC's Roy Krishna on his Indian roots". Mintlounge. 24 August 2022.
  11. ^ "Phoenix to take Krishna under wing". TVNZ. 30 April 2008. Retrieved 6 November 2011.
  12. ^ Brown, Michael (29 March 2009). "Soccer: Krishna outgrows NZFC". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 6 November 2011.
  13. ^ "Soccer: Visa issues in way of Krishna's English dream".
  14. ^ "The rise and rise of Roy Krishna at Wellington Phoenix". Stuff.co.nz. 5 December 2014. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
  15. ^ Fiji's Roy Krishna joins Auckland City Oceania Football Confederation
  16. ^ "Krishna savours historic strike". FIFA. 12 December 2013. Archived from the original on 13 December 2013. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  17. ^ "Phoenix sign prolific Auckland City striker". TVNZ. 7 January 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
  18. ^ AAP (16 March 2014). "Melbourne Heart and Wellington Phoenix draw 2–2 in A-League encounter". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
  19. ^ "Team of the Week Round 23". Football Federation Australia. 17 March 2014. Archived from the original on 27 March 2014. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  20. ^ "Flying Fijian inks new deal". Football Federation Australia. 20 March 2014. Archived from the original on 27 March 2014.
  21. ^ "Roy Krishna extends contract with Wellington Phoenix". The New Zealand Herald. 29 February 2016.
  22. ^ "Football: Roy Krishna signs one-year extension with Wellington Phoenix". NZ Herald. 15 February 2018. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  23. ^ "Roy Krishna wins Player of the Year award". FBC TV. 18 April 2018. Archived from the original on 4 July 2019. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  24. ^ Hyslop, Liam (2 December 2018). "Farcical VAR intervention ruins Roy Krishna's record-breaking night for the Wellington Phoenix". Stuff.co.nz.
  25. ^ AAP (19 January 2019). "The Wellington Phoenix have made it nine unbeaten games in a row after a 3–3 thriller against Melbourne Victory in football's A-league". Retrieved 20 January 2019.
  26. ^ "A-League: Roy Krishna reportedly departing Wellington Phoenix". Newshub. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  27. ^ Rollo, Phillip (18 June 2019). "Wellington Phoenix striker Roy Krishna joins Indian Super League club ATK". Stuff.co.nz.
  28. ^ "ATK knock defending champions Bengaluru out, set up final vs Chennaiyin FC". India Today. 8 March 2020. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  29. ^ "ATK best Chennaiyin in Hero ISL 2019–20 final to clinch record third title". Indian Super League. 14 March 2020. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  30. ^ "Roy Krishna's solitary goal fires Mohun Bagan to victory over Kerala Blasters on ISL debut". India TV News. 20 November 2020.
  31. ^ "East Bengal 0–2 ATK Mohun Bagan Highlights: Clinical Mariners Win First-ever Kolkata Derby In ISL". Outlook. 27 November 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  32. ^ "Krishna bags the golden ball". Goal.com. 13 March 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  33. ^ "Thank you for the memories, Roy! Goodbye and good luck!".
  34. ^ "Roy Krishna completes move to Bengaluru FC". khelnow.com. 18 July 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  35. ^ "Sunil Chhetri, Roy Krishna combine as Bengaluru FC beat Jamshedpur FC". khelnow.com. 17 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  36. ^ "Jamshedpur 1 – 2 Bengaluru". the-aiff.com. 17 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  37. ^ "Roy Krishna joins Odisha FC". thebridge.in. 17 July 2023.
  38. ^ "Player stats - Goals". Indian Super League. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  39. ^ Krishna sharpens soccer skills – Fiji Times
  40. ^ "Krishna joins futsal squad". Oceania Football Confederation. 14 July 2010. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
  41. ^ "U23 squad in Suva for team naming". Fiji Times. 16 July 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  42. ^ Bellemore, Damien. "Phoenix striker: 'How I made Fijian Olympic history'". A-League. Football Federation Australia. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  43. ^ Ewart, Richard (5 January 2022). "Pacific: OFC's new ambassador keen to get more island players into the professional ranks". ABC Radio Australia. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
  44. ^ Rollo, Phillip (6 December 2018). "Wellington Phoenix striker Roy Krishna granted New Zealand citizenship". Stuff. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
  45. ^ Kumar, Arvind (17 July 2018). "Roy Krishna, Naziah Ali tie the knot in four-day ceremony in Fiji". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  46. ^ Roy Krishna at Soccerway
  47. ^ "FIFA Tournaments – Players & Coaches – Roy Krishna". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  48. ^ "R. Krishna". Soccerway.
  49. ^ "Roy Krishna". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  50. ^ Narayan, Aaditya (19 September 2022). "Durand Cup 2022 review: The perfect curtain-raiser to the Indian football season". www.espn.in. Kolkata: ESPN. Archived from the original on 20 September 2022. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  51. ^ Rawat, Akhil (25 April 2023). "Odisha FC bask in Kozhikode rain; beat Bengaluru FC to claim Hero Super Cup crown". the-aiff.com. Kozhikode: All India Football Federation. Archived from the original on 25 April 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  52. ^ "On-Field Performers Honours". The Ultimate New Zealand Soccer Website. Retrieved 28 September 2010.
  53. ^ Fiji Under 20 to clinch First Playoff win – Fijilive
  54. ^ Oceanian Player of the Year 2008 The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation
  55. ^ "Waitakere prevail as familiar foes dominate". FIFA. 18 March 2013. Archived from the original on 6 January 2014. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  56. ^ "Krishna's big night at Phoenix awards". A-League. 18 April 2018.
  57. ^ "Fiji's Krishna named A-League player of the month". RNZ. 19 February 2019. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
  58. ^ a b "Wellington Phoenix's Roy Krishna adds Johnny Warren Medal to A-League Golden Boot". Stuff.co.nz. 13 May 2019.
  59. ^ "ATK's Roy Krishna Awarded ISL Hero Of The Month For November". The Times of India. 8 December 2019. Archived from the original on 16 February 2024.
  60. ^ "Odisha FC's Roy Krishna named Player of the Month for December 2023". Indian Super League. 2 February 2024. Archived from the original on 2 February 2024.
  61. ^ "IFFHS MAN TEAM – OFC – OF THE DECADE 2011–2020". IFFHS. 31 January 2021.
  62. ^ "IFFHS ALL TIME OCEANIA MEN'S DREAM TEAM". IFFHS. 14 June 2021. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  63. ^ "ISL 2021 final: ATKMB's Roy Krishna wins Golden Ball award". The Hindu.
  64. ^ Noronha, Anselm (29 July 2021). "Mohun Bagan Day 2021: The award winners and everything you need to know". www.goal.in. Goal. Archived from the original on 22 September 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2022.

External links edit

  • Roy Krishna – FIFA competition record (archived)  
  • Roy Krishna at Soccerway  
  • Roy Krishna at FootballDatabase.eu  
  • Roy Krishna at National-Football-Teams.com  
  • Roy Krishna at OFC.org
  • Roy Krishna interview
  • Roy Krishna at Olympics.com
  • Roy Krishna at Olympedia  

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