Q, I grew up in Okinawa until middle school and came to Tokyo when I was in high school. I answered that I started aiming to become a professional soccer player at the age of 15, but was the reason for deciding to come to Tokyo to achieve my goal?
When I was in junior high school, I had a strong desire to devote myself to soccer and joined the Tokyo-based academy, FC Tokyo U-18, after receiving an offer. I made the decision to become a professional player by the time I graduated from high school.
Q, What did you think would be beneficial for you by coming to Tokyo?
Playing for the Tokyo Academy, which belongs to the A, J1 League, is a valuable asset for me.
Q, have there been any changes in yourself since coming to Tokyo from Okinawa?
A, In terms of soccer, I became more aware of professional players as they were practicing on the neighboring field. I increased my training frequency since middle school and my life became centered around soccer. I have memories of thinking "I have to do more" and practicing a lot. In terms of other aspects, I stopped speaking with an Okinawan accent and started using Tokyo dialect.
Q: Did you feel a sense of tension when standing on the stage of the J-League in the particularly responsible position of goalkeeper?
When I was playing in the J3 league, I didn't have a clear understanding in my head and was more focused on my own play than on my sense of responsibility. I learned about tension during my time playing for Iwate Grulla Morioka last season.
Q: Please tell us something you were confident about and something you considered a challenge when you were in high school.
A, what I was confident about was stopping shots and protecting the goal. Looking back, I think the challenge was my behavior as a goalkeeper. At that time, I didn't realize what the position of a goalkeeper was, so I wish I had worked more on my physical fitness.
Q, What changes have you experienced between your high school days and now?
A, My personality changed about 180 degrees. I had more opportunities to interact with professional players, and I was taken care of by players such as Akihiro HAYASHI, Tsuyoshi KODAMA, Go HATANO, and former goalkeeper coach Shinichi MORISHITA (currently the technical coach for Júbilo Iwata Academy GK). My greetings and language usage also changed. I was the youngest player on the team, but I realized that the three senior goalkeepers had dedicated their lives to their playing careers, and I wanted to become like them. I thought it would be disrespectful to behave without respect towards players with long careers, and I knew I had to change.
Q, on the homepage, mentioned Akihiro HAYASHI (currently Vegalta Sendai) as one of the players influenced by the player profiles.
I started in the starting lineup when I was promoted to the top team. I was also selected for the Best Eleven, and it was like being with the best goalkeeper in Japan. I also got to feel Lin's personality up close. Training together with him was inspiring and made me want to become even better.
Q, In the 2021 season, Iwate Grulla Morioka contributed to the promotion to J2 League by transferring on loan.
I finished second in J3 and was promoted to J2 League. I didn't really feel like I achieved it myself, but rather that I was allowed to win. I am grateful that the coach continued to use me. When I was promoted to J2 League, I realized that I lacked the mentality and sense of responsibility to play in the games. While the fact that I was promoted may have looked good on the surface, I had a lot of time to face myself in order to compete in the next season in J2 League. That period helped me grow and I learned a lot.
Q: How did your experience in Iwate affect you as a player, Nozawa?
A, I think the year I was relegated from J2 to J3 was a period that helped me grow more than when I achieved promotion. It is a fact that the level of J3 is not as high as J1 and J2, and I felt a sense of comfort from being able to win in J3. In J2, I was faced with the harsh reality. Iwate is a developing team that wants to become even better in the future, and there is a strong connection with the local community. I felt like there was one community with my teammates, staff, stadium staff, and sponsors. I am representing all of you on the pitch, so I cannot be afraid. This feeling became my source of strength. I realized that I have a responsibility to perform well, as I am playing on behalf of my teammates who cannot be on the field. If I do not behave appropriately, it would be disrespectful to everyone's feelings. Thinking about this, I felt a sense of responsibility. Responsibility may not be something you want or can have, but I thought that as I see more things, I may be able to take on more responsibility. It was a difficult period, but now I realize it was an important one. I believe that our hearts are polished during difficult times.
Q, Player Nozawa was the first player selected for the Japan national team from Iwate. How did you feel when you carried the team and became a member of the Japan national team?
A, the period I spent as a representative became my starting point. It was a happy title to be the first representative player of the team, but at that time I was only focused on myself and couldn't see what was going on around me. Talking with the representative staff, Seiya Hamano, the goalkeeper coach, expanded my perspective. I realized that I wasn't just carrying Iwate, but I had been carrying it all along. After my time as a representative, I got injured, but I felt a sense of movement within myself that had changed.
Q: Is player Nozawa the type to put pressure on himself during games, or is he the type to get excited?
For a team, it makes a big difference whether the goalkeeper stands on the pitch with pressure or with excitement. I am excited not because of my own skills, but because I want to play in the game and win with the whole team.
Q, Please tell us how you felt when you decided to return to Tokyo from this season.
A, I am filled with gratitude and appreciation for Tokyo. I have always wanted to play in Tokyo and win titles. It was only after reflecting on my life in Iwate that I realized how much Tokyo has given me. I was happy when I was approached because I love Tokyo.
Q, When you were approached, what did you think Tokyo was asking of player Nozawa?
A, I think they were asking me to stand at Ajinomoto Stadium as an academy graduate.
Q, How is the team atmosphere since joining?
A, Everyone is trying to approach the game by valuing what is in front of them. There are many players who want to improve, and everyone is living without regrets. It is a big thing for me to be able to play with such a team.
Q, What are your impressions of Jakub Slowik and Tsuyoshi Kodama, and the atmosphere of the goalkeeper team?
A, I have been taken care of by Kodama since before, and he still treats me well. I have also been able to build a good relationship with Slowik, and I respect his mentality when facing matches. The atmosphere among the goalkeeper team, including the staff, is good, and regardless of who plays in the match, we are all aiming for higher goals. I am grateful to be a part of that.
Q, What kind of presence is Kashif BANGNAGANDE, who was promoted from the academy to the top team, and Seiji KIMURA, who are in the same year, for player Nozawa?
A, Kashif BANGNAGANDE has a clear vision for his future while burning with passion. Seiji KIMURA has a similar experience to me, leaving Tokyo and seeing the outside world. I can understand their strong desire to contribute to Tokyo with what they have. I respect that about the two of them.
Q, Please tell us the team's goals and individual goals for the 2023 season.
A, We are aiming for both team and individual championships. Personally, I believe that we must live in the present and focus on the practice in front of us, rather than worrying about tomorrow. I want to approach each game with importance and ultimately reach the championship. However, I also believe that the process of striving for the championship is just as valuable. Even if we do not achieve the desired result, I want to fight with all my might without any regrets.
Q: Please tell us about your strengths and points you want to appeal as a player, Nozawa.
I want to fulfill my responsibility as a goalkeeper by protecting the goal. When I play in a game, I want to show leadership in order to defend the goal together with my teammates.
Q: When asked about the best thing about becoming a professional soccer player, I answered "Being in a position to give dreams and hope to many people." What do you want to convey to those around you, Mr. Nozawa?
A, I want to give what I have been given to many people. I have learned how professional soccer players are special to children and the local community. I want to understand my position and expand the circle of joy that everyone can share together.
Q: Do you have any message for children who dream of becoming professional soccer players?
A, only a handful of players can become professionals, but it is natural to aspire and I hope everyone will do their best. I value things that are meaningful in life and I think it is a waste to focus only on myself. I want to take the time to think about how to convey this to children in the future.
Q, please give a comment to the fans and supporters for the upcoming league and Levain Cup.
A, now, the team is fighting with the goal of improving and growing, and we are determined to win every game with the style our coach aims for. Patience is necessary when the team is not doing well, and I think fans and supporters will also need to be patient. We want to deliver enjoyable and exciting football, and bring victories as soon as possible.
