He is trying to become the third Olympian in history as a player from the top team who graduated from the Aoiaka Academy.
The goalkeeper Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, who has saved the team with repeated big saves, will fly to Paris after the match against Albirex Niigata in the 2024 Meiji Yasuda J1 League Sec. 23, held at the Japan National Stadium on July 13.
After being selected for the Japan national team for the first time at the end of last season, player Nozawa has experienced significant moments, including the AFC Asian Cup 2023 and qualifying for the Paris Olympics. After returning to Japan, he reclaimed his starting position and evolved into an indispensable presence for the team with a series of super saves.
Behind that was a mental reform that reaffirmed the approach to soccer. Delving into his thoughts that transformed the difficult times he endured in silence into something positive.
Text by Tomoaki Aoyama
Photos by Kenichi Arai
"I am different from the person I was before the U-23 Asian Cup. Behind the victory in the tournament, I have some quite difficult memories personally, but I was able to move forward from there."
The reliable blue-red guardian is about to take flight on the world stage. Although he made the squad for the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup, he did not get the opportunity to play. It feels like he has been 'chosen' for a world tournament for the first time since then! I thought I should do my best, and above all, I feel a strong sense of excitement.
Last season, he secured a regular position in Tokyo towards the end of the season, and his performance there was recognized with his first call-up to the Japan national team at the end of the year. Despite an incident during the national team training camp where he sustained an injury, he also participated in the AFC Asian Cup 2023 at the beginning of the year. In April, he was selected for the AFC U-23 Asian Cup 2024, which also serves as the final qualifiers for the Paris Olympics, and he has secured a ticket to the main tournament.
At first glance, the results may seem smooth sailing. However, he was secretly struggling with his worries behind the scenes.
The U-23 Asian Cup held in Qatar saw them take the pitch in the third group stage match against South Korea, but they lost the match 0-1. Unable to play as they wished, they continued to sit on the bench during the knockout stage. He reflects on his mental state at that time.
"During the tournament, I found myself playing a bit passively. I thought about how I should have done things differently, or how I was too focused on fitting in with others, or trying not to make mistakes... Of course, I knew in my head that this was not a good thing, but there was a part of me that was still doing that."
I no longer want to have regrets. The experience of going through difficult times prompted him to return to his roots. What kind of play does he want to pursue? How can he showcase his strengths? He repeatedly questioned himself to overcome obstacles and move forward. What he realized by facing himself every day was the mental control needed to build confidence and fully demonstrate his abilities. That awareness changed him.
"I truly realized that the heart and mind are important. I thought that what is necessary to give everything I have is, after all, mental strength."
Of course, you must acquire skills through daily practice. However, what is necessary to perform at your best in high-pressure matches, where split-second decisions are required, is the mental strength to play confidently and calmly.
"First, I started by trusting my instincts and feelings and expressing them. After all, I want to play the soccer I love and do the plays I enjoy. Of course, there are failures and mistakes, but even when faced with difficulties, I became aware of the need to rise up from them and just enjoy playing. What I love is getting stuck into the ball, positioning myself to anticipate the opponent's movements, and making saves that prevent goals. Of course, the skills to demonstrate that are necessary, but if I think about it during the match, I won't be able to keep up. That's why I practice regularly, facing myself, but in the end, what I need is that instinct or a burning mentality of 'I'm going to do this!' Above all, it's great that I can enjoy every moment of being a goalkeeper right now."
After returning to Tokyo with a ticket to Paris, it was clear that there were more matches where he seized the momentum of the game from his big saves. Still, he never wavers in his attitude of fighting as a team, stating, "I couldn't have won just by my own strength."
Having escaped the swamp I was stuck in, I am enjoying playing on the pitch. Of course, I also have a desire to improve. The determination to completely eliminate negative elements and contribute to the team's victory brings confidence to his heart.
"While ambition is important, it can also lead to a negative mindset of thinking 'I'm still not enough.' This is my personal view, but I believe it's important to have that feeling while also giving your all on the pitch."
Continue to play while believing in yourself. Always face yourself every day, never becoming arrogant or complacent. Embracing change and corrections, while accepting challenges, I move forward with confidence and determination.
The farewell match for player Nozawa, who is embarking on such a journey, will be the match against Albirex Niigata held at Japan National Stadium on July 13. "Until I join the U-23 Japan national team, I will continue to focus solely on Tokyo's victory as always," he expresses his determination for the team's success.
"I hope many fans will come, and the National Stadium has an amazing atmosphere. As a team, we want to showcase exciting football that brings thrills in both results and match developments. Some may want to see a goal rush and a clean sheet victory, but there are moments of excitement even if we go behind and have to come from behind to win. As a goalkeeper, the accumulation of steady work leads to stable results, but there will be flashy moments once or twice in a match. I want to contribute to victory by maintaining focus for 90 minutes without creating any gaps."
The point of reflection is the joy of soccer. And his place is in Tokyo. Taishi Brandon NOZAWA's style of "mental revolution" is a positive return to the origin. I want to witness the presence of Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, who faces himself, always remains aware of maximum output, and aims for greater heights as he prepares to embark on a journey to Paris, at National.
