Q: I grew up in Okinawa until middle school and came to Tokyo during high school. I answered that I started aiming to become a professional soccer player at the age of 15, but was the determination to come to Tokyo motivated by the desire to achieve that goal?
When I was in junior high school thinking about my future path, I had a strong desire to focus on soccer, so I joined the Tokyo academy, FC Tokyo U-18, which offered me a place. Since I was going to Tokyo, I decided to become a professional player by the time I graduated from high school.
Q: What do you think will work positively for you by coming to Tokyo?
I considered it a valuable asset for myself to be able to play at Tokyo's academy, which belongs to a team in the J1 League.
Q: Have you noticed any changes in yourself since you were in Okinawa and after coming to Tokyo?
In terms of soccer, professional players were practicing on the neighboring field, so I became more aware of the pros than before. Compared to when I was in junior high school, the frequency of practice increased, and my life became centered around soccer. I remember practicing a lot thinking, "I have to do more." Outside of soccer, my Okinawan accent disappeared, and I started speaking the Tokyo dialect.
Q: Did you feel any tension standing on the J-League stage in the particularly responsible position of goalkeeper?
A. When I was playing in J3, I wasn't able to organize my thoughts clearly and I think I was more focused on my own play than on a sense of responsibility. I learned about tension and pressure last season while playing for Iwate Grulla Morioka.
Q: Please tell us about what you were confident in while playing during high school and what you thought were your challenges.
A, what I was confident about was stopping shots and protecting the goal. Looking back now, I think my challenge was my behavior as a goalkeeper. At that time, I was not aware of what kind of position a goalkeeper is, so I wish I had worked more on physical conditioning and other aspects.
Q: What changes have you experienced from your high school days to now?
A, my personality changed about 180 degrees. I had more opportunities to interact with professional players, and I was supported by Akihiro HAYASHI, Tsuyoshi KODAMA, Go HATANO, and former goalkeeper coach Shinichi MORISHITA (currently Júbilo Iwata Academy GK Technical Coach), which led to changes in my greetings and language. I was the youngest member to join the team, but I realized that the three senior goalkeepers were dedicating their lives to their playing careers, and I wanted to be like them. I thought it was disrespectful to behave without respect toward players with long careers, so I felt I had to change.
Q, you mentioned Akihiro HAYASHI (currently of Vegalta Sendai) as a player influenced by the player profiles on the homepage.
A, when promoted to the top team, started in matches. He was also selected for the Best Eleven, meaning he was alongside the best goalkeeper in Japan. I was able to feel Hayashi's personality up close. Practicing together, he was an inspiring presence that ignited my passion and made me want to improve even more.
Q: In the 2021 season, I was loaned to Iwate Grulla Morioka and contributed to their promotion to the J2 League.
We finished 2nd in J3 and were promoted to the J2 League. I don't really feel like I accomplished it myself; I mostly felt like I was allowed to win. I am only grateful that the coach kept using me. When we were promoted to the J2 League, I vaguely realized that I lacked the mentality and sense of responsibility to play in matches. The fact that we were promoted might have made the outside appearance look good, but I had a lot of time to face myself in order to compete in the J2 League next season. That period helped me grow and taught me many things.
Q: How did your experience in Iwate impact you, player Nozawa?
Since achieving promotion, I believe the one year of being relegated from the J2 League to J3 was a period that helped me grow more. It is true that the level of J3 is not as high compared to J1 and J2, and because I was able to win in J3, I felt somewhat comfortable there. However, I faced the harsh reality in J2. Iwate is a developing team that wants to become even better, so there is a lot of interaction with the local community, teammates, staff, stadium personnel, and sponsors. I felt that we all form one community. Representing everyone, I stand on the pitch, and the feeling that I cannot be intimidated became my driving force. With many people supporting us and some teammates unable to play, it would be disrespectful to everyone if the person representing us on the field behaved inappropriately. Thinking this way gave me a sense of responsibility. Perhaps responsibility is not something you can just choose to have, but as you see more things, you might be able to take on responsibility. It was a tough period, but looking back, it was an important time. I believe that it is during difficult times that your heart is polished.
Q: Nozawa was the first player from Iwate to be selected for the Japan national team. How did you feel when you carried the team and became a member of the Japan national team?
The period I spent representing the national team became my starting point. It was a proud title to be the team's first national team player, but at the time, I was so focused on myself that I couldn't see what was happening around me. Talking with Seiya Hamano, the national team goalkeeper coach, broadened my perspective. Rather than feeling like I was carrying Iwate on my back at the time, I realized later that I had been carrying Iwate. After my national team activities, I got injured, but because of the changes within me, I felt like I had started to move forward.
Q: Is Nozawa the type of player who puts pressure on himself during the match, or is he the type who gets excited?
A, I think there is a big difference between a goalkeeper standing on the pitch under pressure and standing on the pitch with excitement. Rather than my own skills, I am excited because of the desire to play in the match and win together with the whole team.
Q: Please tell us how you felt when it was decided that you would return to Tokyo this season.
A: I have a debt of gratitude to Tokyo and I am filled with appreciation. I have always wanted to play in Tokyo and win titles. It was only after going to Iwate and reflecting on my life that I realized how much Tokyo has given me. I love Tokyo, so I was very happy when I was approached.
Q: When you were called up, what did you think Tokyo expected from player Nozawa?
A: I think they expect me to stand on the pitch at Ajinomoto Stadium as a graduate of the academy.
Q: How is the team's atmosphere since joining?
A: Everyone is focusing on what is in front of them and approaching the matches with seriousness. Many players want to improve, and everyone is having fulfilling days without regrets. Being able to play in such a team is significant for me.
Q, What are your impressions of Jakub SLOWIK and Tsuyoshi KODAMA, and how is the atmosphere within the goalkeeper team?
A, I have been taken care of by Tsuyoshi KODAMA for a long time, and he continues to treat me well. I have also built a very good relationship with Jakub SLOWIK, and I respect his mentality when approaching matches. The atmosphere among the goalkeepers, including the staff, is good, and regardless of who plays in the matches, we are all aiming for higher goals, and I am grateful to be a part of that.
Q: What kind of presence do your peers, Kashif BANGNAGANDE and Seiji KIMURA, who were promoted from the academy to the top team, have for you?
A: Kashif has a clear vision of what he needs to do for his future while burning with passion. Seiji, like me, has gone outside of Tokyo and seen the world. I understand his strong desire to contribute what he has for Tokyo. I respect both of them for that.
Q: Please tell us your goals for the 2023 season, both as a team and individually.
A: Both as a team and individually, we aim for victory. Personally, I believe that tomorrow will take care of itself, so I must live in the present and cherish the practice in front of me as I prepare for the matches. Ultimately, I want to reach victory, but I believe that the process of working towards it is a valuable asset. Even if the results don't come, I want to fight valiantly without regrets.
Q: Please tell us about your strengths and the points you would like to promote as a player, Nozawa.
A. I want to fulfill my responsibility as a goalkeeper by protecting the goal. When I play in a match, I want to demonstrate leadership so that everyone can work together to defend the goal.
Q: In response to the question about the good things about becoming a football player, you said, "As a professional, I am in a position to give many people dreams and hope." What message would you like to convey to those around you?
A. I want to give to many people what I have been given. I have learned how special professional soccer players are to children and the local community. I want to understand the position I have been given and expand a circle where everyone can share joy together.
Q: Is there anything you would like to tell children who dream of becoming professional soccer players?
Only a handful of players can become professionals, but it is natural to aspire to it, and I want everyone to do their best. I believe in valuing what is meaningful in life, and I think it is a waste to be consumed only by oneself. I want to take time from now on to think about how to convey this well to children.
Q: Please provide a comment for the fans and supporters regarding the upcoming league matches and the Levain Cup.
A. Currently, the team is fighting with the mindset of improving and growing, striving to win every match in the style the coach aims for. Patience is necessary when things are not going well for the team, and I believe there are times when fans and supporters will need to be patient as well. We want to deliver enjoyable and exciting soccer, as well as victories, as soon as possible.
