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 middle school and thinking about my future, I had a desire to focus on soccer, so I joined the Tokyo academy, FC Tokyo U-18, after receiving an offer. Since I was going to Tokyo, I decided to become a professional player by the time I graduated high school.
Q: What do you think will work positively for you by coming to Tokyo?
I considered it a privilege to be able to play at the Tokyo academy, which is affiliated with 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, I became more aware of professionals since professional players were practicing on the neighboring field. The frequency of my practice has increased compared to when I was in middle school, and my life has become centered around soccer. I remember practicing a lot with the thought that I had to do more. In terms of aspects other than soccer, my Okinawan accent has disappeared, and I now speak in 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 think I was so focused on my own performance that I couldn't organize my thoughts and was more desperate than feeling a sense of responsibility. I learned about the tension from playing with Iwate Grulla Morioka last season.
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 guarding the goal. Looking back, I think the challenge was my behavior as a goalkeeper. At that time, I didn't realize what position a goalkeeper was, 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 has changed about 180 degrees. I have had more opportunities to interact with professional players, and I have been helped by Akihiro HAYASHI, Tsuyoshi KODAMA, Go HATANO, and Shinichi MORISHITA, the former goalkeeper coach (currently the GK technical coach at Júbilo Iwata), which has led to changes in my greetings and language. I joined the team as the youngest member, but I realized that the three senior goalkeepers are dedicating their lives to their careers, and I wanted to be like them. I thought it would be disrespectful to behave without respect towards players with long careers, and I realized I needed to change.
Q, you mentioned Akihiro HAYASHI (currently of Vegalta Sendai) as a player influenced by the player profiles on the homepage.
A, I was a starter when I was promoted to the top team. I was also selected for the Best Eleven, which means I was alongside the best goalkeeper in Japan. I was able to feel the character of player Hayashi up close. Practicing together ignited my passion, and I felt inspired to become better.
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 really don't feel like I accomplished this; it felt more like I was given the opportunity to win. I can only be grateful that the coach continued to use me. When we were promoted to the J2 League, I was vaguely aware that I lacked the mentality and sense of responsibility to participate in the matches. While the fact of being promoted may have looked good on the outside, I had a lot of time to confront myself in order to compete in the J2 League next season. That period helped me grow and I learned a lot.
Q: How did your experience in Iwate impact you, player Nozawa?
Since achieving promotion, I believe that the year spent relegated from J2 to J3 has been a period of growth for me. It is true that the level of J3 is not as high compared to J1 and J2, and I felt a certain comfort in being able to win in J3. I witnessed the harsh realities in J2. Iwate is a developing team that wants to become better, so there is a lot of interaction with the local community, and I felt that there is a strong sense of community with teammates, staff, stadium personnel, sponsors, and many others. I stand on the pitch representing everyone, and the feeling that I cannot be timid became my source of motivation. With support from various people, I realized that if someone is unable to play, it would be disrespectful for the person representing them to behave inappropriately. Thinking this way instilled a sense of responsibility in me. Responsibility may not be something you can just take on, but I thought that as I see various things, I might become capable of bearing that responsibility. It was a difficult period, but looking back now, it was an important time. I believe that it is during tough times that one's heart is refined.
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?
A, the period I was active in the national team became my starting point. It was a delightful title as the first representative player of the team, but at that time, I was so focused on myself that I couldn't see my surroundings. Talking with the national staff, goalkeeper coach Seiya Hamano, broadened my perspective. Rather than carrying Iwate on my back, I realized later that I was carrying Iwate. After my time with the national team, I got injured, but I felt a sense of movement within me due to the changes I experienced.
Q: Is Nozawa the type of player who puts pressure on himself during the match, or is he the type who gets excited?
I think there is a big difference between a goalkeeper stepping onto the pitch under pressure and stepping onto the pitch excited. It's not so much about my skills, but rather the excitement of wanting to win together with the whole team in the match.
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 responsibilities as a goalkeeper by protecting the goal. When I am on the field, I want to demonstrate leadership to protect the goal together with everyone.
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 what I have received to many people. I have come to understand how special a professional soccer player is to children and the local community. I want to understand the position I have been given and expand the circle of joy that everyone can share together.
Q: Is there anything you would like to tell children who dream of becoming professional soccer players?
A handful of players can become professionals, but it's natural to aspire to that, and I want everyone to do their best. I believe in cherishing valuable things in life, and I think it's a waste to only focus on myself. I want to take the time to think about how to communicate this effectively to children.
Q: Please provide a comment for the fans and supporters regarding the upcoming league matches and the Levain Cup.
A. Right now, the team is fighting with the intention to improve and grow, focusing on winning every match in the style the coach aims for. Patience is necessary when the team is not performing well, and I believe there will be times when our fans and supporters will need to be patient as well. I want to deliver enjoyable and exciting football, as well as victories, as soon as possible.
