Jirijoonas Kanth
{{Short description|Finnish footballer}}
{{Infobox football biography
|name = Jirijoonas Kanth
|image =
|full_name =
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|6|16|df=y}}
|birth_place =
|height = 1.80 m
|position = Midfielder
|collegeyears1 = 2007
|college1 = Kentucky Wildcats
|years1 = {{0|0000}}–2011
|clubs1 = HIFK
|caps1 = 18
|goals1 = 1
|years2 = 2012
|clubs2 = FC Viikingit
|caps2 = 21
|goals2 = 0
|years3 = 2013
|clubs3 = HIFK
|caps3 = 16
|goals3 = 1
|years4 = 2014
|clubs4 = SoVo
|caps4 = 18
|goals4 = 1
|years5 = 2015–2017
|clubs5 = FC Kiffen 08
|caps5 = 54
|goals5 = 0
|years6 = 2018
|clubs6 = HIFK
|caps6 = 2
|goals6 = 0
|years7 = 2018
|clubs7 = → HIFK II (loan)
|caps7 = 10
|goals7 = 1
|nationalteam1 = Sápmi
}}
Jirijoonas Kanth (born 16 June 1987) is a Finnish former footballer who last played as a midfielder for HIFK.
Early life
Kanth started playing football at the age of five.{{Cite web|url=https://yle.fi/a/3-7269878|title=Kanthin juuret ovat Utsjoella|publisher=yle.fi}} His great-grandmother is Sami.{{Cite web|url=https://kymppipaikka.fi/Suomalaiset-maailmalla/Jirijoonas-Kanth-valmiina-ConIFAn-MM-turnaukseen|title=Jirijoonas Kanth valmiina|publisher=kymppipaikka.fi}} He was childhood friends with Finland international Perparim Hetemaj.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mtvuutiset.fi/artikkeli/hetemaj-liputtaa-saamen-puolesta/3470128|title=Jirijoonas Kanth - MTV article}}
College career
Kanth attended the University of Helsinki's Teacher Education Institute.{{Cite web|url=https://yle.fi/a/3-7247606|title=Jirijoonas Kanth on mukana|publisher=yle.fi}}
Club career
Kanth started his career with Finnish side HIFK, where he was regarded as an important player for the club.{{Cite web|url=https://hifkfotboll.fi/2011/10/15274/|title=Jirijoonas Kanth – jälleen Ykkösessä}} He was suspended for four games due to alleged racist behavior.{{Cite web|url=https://www.iltalehti.fi/jalkapallo/a/200905199616958|title=Jirijoonas Kanth - Il Talehti article}} The decision was later overturned.{{Cite web|url=https://www.is.fi/jalkapallo/art-2000000466617.html|title=Jirijoonas Kanthin pelikielto rasistisesta käytöksestä kumottiin|publisher=is.fi}} After that, he signed for Finnish side FC Kiffen 08.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37449576/football-source-pride-symbol-unity-conifa-world-cup|archive-url=https://archive.today/20230707070804/https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37449576/football-source-pride-symbol-unity-conifa-world-cup|url-status=dead|archive-date=2023-07-07|title=Jirijoonas Kanth - ESPN article}} Before the 2018 season, he returned to Finnish side HIFK.{{Cite web|url=https://www.suomifutis.com/2018/02/onko-tassa-ykkosen-ensi-kauden-maalipyssy-hifk-kiinnitti-suomen-cupissa-vakuuttaneen-lupauksen/|title=Jirijoonas Kanth - Suomi Futis article}} He helped the club earn promotion to the Finnish top flight before retiring.{{Cite web|url=https://hifkfotboll.fi/2020/02/innu-kanth-tavoitteena-nousu-kakkoseen/|title=Kanth: Tavoitteena nousu Kakkoseen}}
International career
Kanth played for the Sápmi football team at the 2014 ConIFA World Football Cup, where he was regarded as the team's most important player.{{Cite web|url=https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/5883453|title=Kanth utsedd till FA Sápmis värdefullaste spelare under Conifa|publisher=sverigesradio.se}} He was one of few Finnish players to play for the Sapmi team.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hs.fi/sunnuntai/art-2000002904716.html|title=Jirijoonas Kanth - Helsingin Sanomat article}} He previously represented Finland internationally at youth level.{{Cite web|url=https://puoliaika.com/video-saamen-joukkue-valmistautuu-kesan-mm-kisoihin-katso-heidan-esittelyvideonsa/|title=Jirijoonas Kanth - Puoliaika article}}
Managerial career
Kanth is a qualified teacher and worked as manager of the HIFK women's team after retiring from professional football, .{{Cite web|url=https://hifkfotboll.fi/sv/2020/10/specialintervju-med-innu-kanth-tio-ar-efter-avancemangsfesten-pa-bragu/|title=Kanth tio år efter avancemangsfesten på Bragu}}
Style of play
Kanth mainly operates as a midfielder and has operated as left-back.{{Cite web|url=https://puoliaika.com/puoliaika-com-ennakko-kultsu-fc-fc-kiffen/|title=Jirijoonas Kanth - Puoliaika article}}
Personal life
He is of Sami descent but does not speak the language.{{Cite web|url=https://yle.fi/a/3-7272559|title="Pelifiilis nousee koko ajan"
|publisher=yle.fi}} He is from Utsjoki, Finland.{{Cite web|url=https://byyri.com/mika-ihmeen-conifa-kesakuun-em-kisoissa-saamenmaa-vaansi-abhasiaa-ja-padaniaa-vastaan-jarkko-lahdenmaki-kertoo-mista-on-kyse/|title=Jirijoonas Kanth - Byyri article}} He is nicknamed "Innu".{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-31/conifa-world-cup-kicks-off-in-abkhazia/7460564|title=Jirijoonas Kanth - ABC article}} He has two sisters and two brothers.{{Cite web|url=https://ukathletics.com/sports/msoc/roster/player/jirijoonas-kanth/|title=Jirijoonas Kanth article}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kanth, Jirijoonas}}
Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States
Category:FC Stade Nyonnais players
Category:Finnish expatriate men's footballers
Category:Finnish expatriate sportspeople in the United States
Category:Finnish men's footballers
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Someron Voima players
Category:21st-century Finnish sportsmen
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