The reliability of the blue-red big saver has increased
The fulfillment experienced in Tokyo and with the national team
GK 41 Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
Every person and player has a story. Introducing each blue and red warrior who fought through the 2024 season in '2024 PLAYER’S REVIEW'. What thoughts did they carry as they went through the season? Confidence, a sense of achievement, challenges, joy, regret... Reflecting on this season's battles through the words of the players themselves.
Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, who experienced the AFC Asian Cup with the Japan national team and the Paris Olympics with the U-23 Japan national team. Although he had few opportunities to stand on the pitch wearing the Rising Sun flag, he continued to save the team with repeated big saves in Tokyo, evolving into a reliable goalkeeper over the year. The feelings behind that, and what the 2024 season means for him.
It was truly a tumultuous year. On January 1st, Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, as a member of the Japan national team, was at the Japan National Stadium and was subsequently selected for the AFC Asian Cup 2023 Qatar, flying directly to the location. While the team was conducting preseason camp in Okinawa and Miyazaki, the 21-year-old goalkeeper fought with pride for the Rising Sun flag.
The time spent wearing two hats as a team member and representing the national team did not change even with the season's kickoff. In April, to compete in the final Asian qualifiers for the Paris Olympics, I landed in Qatar again as a member of the U-23 Japan national team, and in July, I experienced one of my goals, the main event of the Paris Olympics. Although I could not step on the pitch, I returned having felt the top level of my generation firsthand.
And as a player from Tokyo, he showcased a fulfilling performance, making big saves to rescue the team multiple times on the pitch. He significantly increased his playing time compared to last season when he made his J1 League debut, proudly establishing himself as the rightful guardian of the blue and red.
However, he casually reflects, saying, "I didn't feel busy at all" while experiencing many "firsts." What he expressed was hunger, and the sense of crisis was far greater than the sense of achievement.
I strongly felt that I needed to reach a higher level both mentally and technically, and I needed to do it faster.
The 2024 season may be a time when I experienced both the joy and difficulty of continuing to play matches in Tokyo, as well as the frustration of not being able to play while reaching an environment that carries the weight of representing Japan.
"The most important thing is that I was able to gain experience when I played in matches. As a football player, I thought that was something special. There were long periods when I wasn't playing in the national team, and that made me reflect, but I realized that the time that contributes most to my growth is when I'm on the pitch. Mistakes happen when you play in matches. When they accumulate, there are times when I struggle to believe in myself or find it difficult to stand on the pitch or practice, but that's something only those who continue to play in matches can feel. Playing in matches means you are chosen, so I have to keep standing on the pitch with responsibility. When I think about it that way, growth is important, but I felt I needed to quickly acquire the quality and mentality suitable for a player who is on the pitch."
The back of number 41 looks significantly larger and more reliable. For a man who aims to win titles in Tokyo and has his sights set on the world beyond, the 2024 season is expected to be a fulfilling year and a pivotal moment for future leaps forward.
Text by Daisuke Suga (El Golasso)
