Naoki Soma

Naoki Soma
相馬直樹
Personal information
Date of birth	19 July 1971 (age 53)
Place of birth	Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan
Height	1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s)	Midfielder, defender
Team information
Current team	Kagoshima United (manager)
Youth career
1987–1989	Shimizu Higashi High School
College career
Years	Team
1990–1993	Waseda University
Senior career*
Years	Team
1994–2003	Kashima Antlers
2002	→Tokyo Verdy (loan)
2004–2005	Kawasaki Frontale
Total
International career
1995–1999	Japan
Managerial career
2010	Machida Zelvia
2011–2012	Kawasaki Frontale
2014–2019	Machida Zelvia
2021	Kashima Antlers
2022–2023	Omiya Ardija
2025–	Kagoshima United
Medal record
Kashima Antlers
	*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Naoki Soma (相馬直樹, Sōma Naoki, born July 19, 1971) is a Japanese football manager and former player. He played for the Japan national team until 1999. He set to manager of Kagoshima United from 2025.

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-back and became one of the main player in a successful era of the club. In the 1990s, the club won several titles: the 1996 J.League, 1998 J.League, 1997 J.League Cup and 1997 Emperor's Cup. He was also selected for the Best Eleven for four years in a row (1995-1998). In 2000, the club won all three major titles in Japan: J1 League, J.League Cup and Emperor's Cup. However at Emperor's Cup in December 2000, he sustained an injury and he could not play for 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 at the end of the 2005 season.

International career

On May 28, 1995, Soma debuted for the Japan national team against Ecuador. After his debut, he became a regular player as left-back and left midfielder. In 1996, he played in all matches included 1996 AFC Asian Cup. In the 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification in 1997, Japan achieved qualification for 1998 FIFA World Cup first time Japan's history. He played in all matches at the 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. On 14 November 2024, Soma announcement officially appointment manager of Kagoshima United from 2025.

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
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
	2003	20	2	0	0	3	1	3	0	26	3
Tokyo Verdy (loan)	2002	27	0	0	0	6	0	–		33	0
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

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year^[1]
National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Japan	1995	9	0
	1996	13	2
	1997	21	1
	1998	10	1
	1999	5	0
Total		58	4

Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Soma goal.

List of international goals scored by Naoki Soma
No.	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, United Arab Emirates	China	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