The twists and turns until the first blue-red goal
What supported us was the warm voices of encouragement
FW 28 Leon NOZAWA
Every person and player has a story. '2024 PLAYER’S REVIEW' introduces all the blue and red warriors who fought through the 2024 season, player by player. 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 each individual.
For Leon NOZAWA, it was a year that became a turning point in his football life. After a loan transfer, he returned to Tokyo, and the twists and turns he faced until he scored his first goal in blue and red. Despite facing criticism, the voices of those who supported him without giving up helped him rise again.
"Let me hear your voice more"
With his right hand holding the emblem and his left index finger on his ear, Leon NOZAWA, who scored his first goal in the J1 League in his third year as a professional, showcased his goal celebration for the first time in blue and red.
"Wow, that was a long time. I'm relieved. I finally got it. The moment I scored was incredibly joyful and my happiness exploded. But, I had missed similar opportunities until now, so I'm relieved."
It was the 33rd minute of the second half in the match against Albirex Niigata in the Meiji Yasuda J1 League Sec. 23 on July 13. Kei KOIZUMI made a run behind the defense on the right side and delivered a grounded cross in front of the goal. Running in was the player wearing number 28. Calmly, he slotted it in with his right foot, marking the long-awaited "1".
The journey to this point has certainly not been smooth. This season, I returned from my second training stint with a strong determination to restart in blue and red. At the beginning of the season, there were times when I couldn't even participate in the practice matches. Even so, I said, 'I will just climb up from the very bottom,' and faced each day head-on.
The turning point was the two matches in June against Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the YBC Levain Cup playoff round. In the first match, I missed a crucial chance and faced harsh criticism. On the other hand, I also received many encouraging voices, and the words "I believe in you" motivated me.
In the second match that followed, he set up a goal to take revenge in the stadium where his own chant echoed for the first time. Savoring the cheers, he expressed, "Honestly, I never thought I would have a chant made for me."
After scoring his first goal in the J1 League, he consistently made it to the bench towards the end of the league. As he gradually increased his playing opportunities, the passes from his teammates that responded to his specialty of breaking through behind also began to increase. It can be said that he has finished handing out his business cards over the past year. That is why new feelings have also begun to sprout.
"I have been playing while creating opportunities for others to get to know me. Next season, I want to turn those connections into results."
The goal scorer who rose from the bottom said, "I think this season has been one where I was helped by so many people supporting me and the team, with their cheers and encouragement," and continued.
"While I care about goals and assists, I also want to focus on the outcomes of the matches I participate in. I want people to think that when Zero-on comes out, it creates opportunities and we can score. To achieve that, we need numbers. The foundation is gradually solidifying, so I want to connect those aspects. Next season, I want to be more particular and delve deeper into it."
There are people in this club who supported me when I met them during my sensitive teenage years. That's why, this season, I often heard words similar to a sense of mission like, "I have to perform here. It wouldn't mean anything if it weren't in this place." I have stood on the pitch carrying someone else's feelings. It was Leon NOZAWA's third season, which conveyed warmth through his play.
Text by Kohei Baba (Freelance Writer)
