Q, Please tell us your honest thoughts about becoming a professional soccer player.
I am very happy because it has been my dream since I was little. I am proud to be able to start my professional soccer career at Tokyo, a club that I have been with since my first year of junior high school and love so much.
Q: How was the promotion to the top team communicated to player Kobayashi?
A, There was an interview with FC Tokyo U-18 players, and they said, "Promotion has been decided." My mother, who was present at the interview, was also very happy, and I was also excited. I was able to participate in the top team's practice from my first year of high school, and I had a strong desire for promotion, so I was very happy.
Q, Have you participated in the top team's camp for two consecutive seasons? How was the feeling?
In my first season participating as a high school first-year student, I was desperate to keep up with my surroundings and could only focus on stopping shots. This season, I had a little more room to breathe and was able to reflect my own thoughts in my play. Participating in the camp for two consecutive seasons allowed me to feel my growth. Of course, there were mistakes, but since the camp involved daily practice, I was able to repeat and reflect on what I couldn't do and consciously think about my play.
Q, Please tell us about the parts where you were able to compete against professional players and the parts where you felt there was a difference.
A, First of all, I felt that being able to stop shots was my strong point. The players on the top team have excellent situational judgment and have the experience to respond quickly, so I wanted to gain more experience and continue to grow.
Q: Was there a player who left a particularly strong impression?
A, Taishi Brandon NOZAWA player. Despite being three years older and close in age, he showed a significant difference in physical ability and shot stopping, which was very inspiring for me.
Q: Player Nozawa was also selected for the Japan national team that will be held on New Year's Day.
A, I really think it's amazing. When I heard that Noguchi had joined the Japan national team, I strongly felt that I wanted to reach that level as well, as our career paths are similar.
Q: Previously, you mentioned being impressed by the "attitude" of players Yuto NAGATOMO and Kuryu MATSUKI.
A, Nagatomo is always looking at the whole team, and when the team's atmosphere is not good, he speaks up and surprises me with his ability to lift the overall mood and make each individual more positive. Matsuki, even in his first year as a high school graduate, was able to interact with professional players and compete on the field, leaving a strong impression on me.
Q: Please tell us about your playing style and strengths.
A, I am good at dynamic plays. I am also skilled at saving shots, handling high balls, and crosses, so please keep an eye on me.
Q, Please tell us the reason why you became a goalkeeper.
A, I used to play as a goalkeeper in soccer because I was tall. When I stopped the shots and saw the opponent getting frustrated, I thought, "Being a goalkeeper is fun." After that, I was recommended by a coach and started playing as a goalkeeper seriously in 4th grade of elementary school. It was fun to stop shots. At first, I felt pain and fear, but gradually it disappeared and I was able to enjoy stopping shots.
Q, What was your initial impression of Tokyo?
I have been watching Tokyo games since I was in elementary school, and I have visited Ajinomoto Stadium many times with my friends on days off. Of course, at that time, I never thought I would play in Tokyo, and I thought it was a club far from me.
Q, What was your time like at FC Tokyo U-15 Musashi, where you spent three years during junior high school?
A, I was blessed with a very good team. Nakamura Manabu (Shizuoka Gakuen High School), who is the same age as me, and my seniors were all like that, and we had a good rivalry. Playing with everyone, I was able to lay the foundation for my goalkeeping for three years.
Q, what is the relationship with player Nakamura whose name has come up?
A, a friend and a rival. We are not just getting along because we are close, but when we play soccer, we compete and advise each other, share various things including the way of thinking of the goalkeeper, and have been striving together.
Q, With Nakamura choosing Verdy as his path after graduating high school, we can't help but expect a new "story" to unfold.
A, yes. I want to show the scene where I and Nakamura are fighting on the J1 stage as soon as possible, as Verdy has returned to J1, and I want to work hard to reach that level quickly and grow.
Q, What was your time like at FC Tokyo U-18 during your three years in high school, Kobayashi-san?
A, as expected, the level of goalkeepers in the U-18 team is extremely high. This includes players like Saito Asahi, who is one year older, and players like Noro Nanase, who is two years older. There was also Goto Wataru, who was one year younger. In particular, I was conscious of Saito, who was in the same generation as me. In the first semester of my third year, I was given the opportunity to play in games, even though Saito and Goto were also on the team. I felt a great sense of responsibility. Saito is also a very good goalkeeper and is the player I respect the most. Goto also excels in shot-stopping and kicking abilities. I believe that in the same great environment as U-15 Musashi, he was able to improve his skills and abilities as a goalkeeper.
Q, This season, with the long-term absence of captain Okazaki Daichi, I think there were many opportunities to wear the captain's armband. What kind of position were you conscious of?
When player A Okazaki was out for a long time, I decided to lead the team and pull them together until Okazaki returned. It was my first time taking on the role of captain, and there were times when I didn't know what to do, but since I am not bad at communicating, I thought about talking with the team both on and off the pitch to bring the team in a positive direction.
Q, During this year's summer club youth championship, the team achieved second place in the nation, but I think player Kobayashi didn't have many opportunities to play. What kind of experience was that tournament for you?
In the first national tournament during my time, it was a very enjoyable but at the same time the most regrettable tournament. Of course, I wanted to play and lead the team to victory, but under the decision of coach Takashi OKUHARA, I thought about "what can I do from the bench to help the team win" and "how can I make the team win". Especially in terms of communication and my role on the bench, it was a tournament where I can say I did everything I could, so I have no regrets. As a player, I am happy that we won, but I had a strong desire to play in the game.
Q, the goalkeeper is the only position that can stand on the pitch, how do you think your experience this season will affect your future?
Not being able to play in the U-18 games was not a negative thing at all, but rather a positive thing. I didn't feel like I wasn't growing just because I couldn't play in the games. Even in the top team, I may not be involved in many games at first, but I want to gain experience while getting used to the speed of the pros, and always strive to aim for a starting position. I want to continue to do my best every day.
Q, where do you place your goals for your first professional season?
A, Tokyo's goalkeepers have a high level, so I have the desire to think about how I can express myself, absorb the good points of my seniors, and get involved in the game. I want to continue to fight for my position from the first season.
Q, What is the place you imagine reaching as a soccer player?
A, The other day, player Nozawa was selected for the Japan national team, and seeing that, my desire to join the Japan national team has become even stronger. I understand that I need to perform well in Tokyo in order to achieve that. I want to give my all and make an impression from the training camp.
Q, What kind of play do you imagine yourself playing at Ajinomoto Stadium with fans and supporters?
I dream of seeing myself making a guts pose and saving the team with my favorite shot stop.
Q, Many fans and supporters come to FC Tokyo U-18 matches, and there is always a strong impression of passionate support.
Despite receiving continuous support from our fans in the Premier League, we felt responsible for not being able to win. While we were determined to meet the expectations of our fans and supporters, it was their cheers that gave us the strength to strive for victory. In particular, we are extremely grateful for the support from our fans and supporters during the national tournament in the summer, as it was thanks to them that we were able to achieve those results.
Q, Finally, I would like to send a message to the fans and supporters in Tokyo.
A, Not only to all the fans and supporters who have been supporting me so far, but also to those who will support me as I join the top team, I will do my best to show my strong shot-stopping skills in official matches and help the team win. Please support me.
Text by Masashi Tsuchiya (Football Writer)
