Q: Please tell us your honest thoughts on becoming a professional soccer player.
I am honestly happy because it has been my dream since I was little. I am very proud to be able to start my professional football career at my beloved club, Tokyo, which I have been a part of since I was in the first year of middle school.
Q: How was the promotion to the top team communicated to player Kobayashi?
I had a meeting with the FC Tokyo U-18 players, and there I was told that "promotion has been decided." My mother, who was present at the meeting, was also very happy, and I felt a strong emotion as well. Since I was allowed to participate in the top team's practice from my first year of high school, I had a strong desire for promotion, so I was very pleased.
Q: You participated in the top team's camp for two consecutive seasons. How did it feel?
During my first season as a high school freshman, I was just desperate to keep up with those around me and could only focus on stopping shots. This season, I had a bit more leeway and was able to reflect my thoughts in my play. Having participated in the camp for two consecutive seasons, I was able to feel my growth. Of course, there were mistakes, but since the camp involves daily practice, I was conscious of repeating what I couldn't do and thinking for myself while playing.
Q: Please tell us the aspects where you were able to compete against professional players and the aspects where you felt there was a gap.
First of all, I felt that stopping shots was my area of expertise. The top team players have excellent situational judgment and possess the experience to respond instantly, so I wanted to gain more experience and grow further.
Q: Was there a player that particularly impressed you?
This is Taishi Brandon NOZAWA. Despite being three years older than me and in a similar age group, he showed an overwhelming difference in physical ability and shot-stopping skills, which was very inspiring.
Q: Player Nozawa has also been selected for the Japan national team members to be held on New Year's Day.
A, I really think it's wonderful. Since I have some similarities in my career path with Nozawa, when I heard that he made it to the Japan national team, I strongly felt that I want to strive to reach that level as well.
Q: Previously, you mentioned that you were impressed by the "attitude" of Yuto NAGATOMO and Kuryu MATSUKI.
A, I was surprised by Nagatomo's ability to see the overall situation well, and when the team's atmosphere was not good, he would speak up to uplift everyone around him to have a positive attitude. Matsuki, even in his first year after graduating high school, interacted normally with professional players and was able to compete on the field, leaving a strong impression on me.
Q: Please tell us about the characteristics of your play and your selling points.
A, I excel at dynamic plays. I am particularly skilled at shot stopping, handling high balls, and dealing with crosses, so I hope you pay attention to that.
Q: What inspired you to become a goalkeeper?
A. I was originally tall, so I played as a goalkeeper in casual soccer. When I had someone take a shot and I stopped it, seeing the other person frustrated made me feel, "Being a keeper is fun." After that, encouraged by my coach, I started playing as a goalkeeper seriously when I was transitioning from 4th to 5th grade. I really enjoyed stopping shots. At first, I felt pain and fear, but gradually those feelings faded, and I began to enjoy the thrill of stopping shots.
Q: What kind of image did you originally have of Tokyo?
Since I was in elementary school, I have been watching Tokyo's matches and I 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, 'This is a club that is far from me.'
Q, looking back, what was your time spent at FC Tokyo U-15 Musashi during your three years in junior high school like?
A, I was blessed with very good members. My peer, Manabu NAKAMURA (Shizuoka Gakuen High School), as well as the seniors, were all good rivals. Playing together with everyone laid the foundation for my goalkeeping over the three years.
Q: What is your relationship with player Nakamura, who was mentioned?
A, they are both close friends and rivals. Just because we get along well doesn't mean we are complacent; when we play soccer, we compete with each other, give each other advice, and share various things, including the goalkeeper's mindset, and I believe we have been honing our skills together.
Q: With Nakamura choosing Verdy as his path after graduating high school, I can't help but expect a new "story" to unfold.
A, that's right. With Verdy's return to J1, I want to quickly show our battle on the J1 stage with Nakamura, and I will work hard to grow so that I can reach that level as soon as possible.
Q: What was the three years spent at FC Tokyo U-18 during your high school days like for you, Kobayashi?
A, indeed, the level of goalkeepers in the U-18 is very high, including Nishiyama Sota and Noro Nanase who are one year older, and Hirashima Yu who is two years older. There is also Wataru GOTO who is one year younger. I was particularly aware of my peer, Asahi SAITO. In the first half of my third year, I was allowed to play in matches ahead of SAITO and GOTO, so I felt the weight of that responsibility. SAITO is also a very good goalkeeper and is the player I respect the most. GOTO excels in shot-stopping ability and kicking power, so just like with U-15 Musashi, I believe I was able to enhance my skills and abilities as a goalkeeper in a wonderful environment with great relationships.
Q: This season, with the long-term absence of captain Daichi Okazaki, I think there were many opportunities to wear the captain's armband. What kind of position were you aware of?
When player Okazaki was out for a long time, I decided to gather my teammates and lead the team until Okazaki returns. 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'm not bad at communication, I thought about talking both on and off the pitch to guide the team in a positive direction.
Q: This summer, during the club youth championship, the team became the national runner-up, but I believe Kobayashi had a hard time getting playing opportunities. What kind of experience did that tournament provide for you?
This was my first national tournament, and while it was a lot of fun, it was also the most frustrating tournament at the same time. Of course, I wanted to play in the match and lead the team to victory, but under the judgment of coach Takashi OKUHARA, I was on the bench. I was thinking about how I could contribute to the team, even from the bench, and how to lead the team in a positive direction and help them win. Especially regarding my role on the bench and encouraging my teammates, I can say that I did everything I could, so I have no regrets. As a player, I wasn't on the field, so while I'm happy about the victory, the desire to play in the match was strong.
Q: The goalkeeper is the only position that can have one player on the pitch. How do you think this season's experience will benefit you going forward?
I believe that not being able to play in the U-18 matches is not a negative thing at all, but rather a positive one. I felt that just because I couldn't play in matches doesn't mean I wasn't growing. Even in the top team, I might not get to participate in many matches at first, but I want to accumulate experience while getting used to the professional speed, and I want to keep working hard every day with the mindset of aiming for a starting position at any time.
Q: What are your goals for your first season as a professional?
A, the goalkeepers in Tokyo have a high level of skill, so I want to think about how I can express myself, absorb the good qualities of my seniors, and get involved in the matches. I want to gradually get into the competition for positions starting from my first season.
Q: What kind of place can you imagine reaching as a football player?
A. Recently, player Nozawa was selected for the Japan national team, and seeing that has strengthened my desire to join the Japan national team as well. I also understand that I need to perform well in Tokyo to achieve that. I want to give my all and make an impression from the camp.
Q: What kind of play do you imagine yourself doing at Ajinomoto Stadium with fans and supporters present?
A, I dream of saving the team with my favorite shot stop and striking a victory pose.
Q: Many fans and supporters come to the FC Tokyo U-18 matches, and I always have the impression that they provide passionate support.
I felt responsible for not being able to win despite the continuous support from the Premier League. We also wanted to meet the expectations of our fans and supporters, and the source of our strength to strive for victory was the cheers from everyone. I am especially grateful because it was thanks to the support of our fans and supporters during the summer national tournament that we were able to achieve that result.
Q: Finally, please give a message to the fans and supporters of Tokyo.
To all the fans and supporters who have supported me until now, as well as to everyone who will support me as I join the top team, I will do my best to showcase my strong shot-stopping skills in official matches and to show you that I can help the team win. Please cheer for me.
Text by Masashi Tsuchiya (Football Writer)
