What are the players in the overseas group doing now?
Due to the influence of Corona, many players playing overseas are returning to Japan. We asked four players who had played in Tasmania, Sweden, Bolivia, and Croatia until recently to tell us about their "local situation, current activities, and feelings."
Koike Kikuchi
|
2020/09/30
Larga futsal (https://largafb.com/index.html), An event to commemorate the opening of individual participation futsal, was attended by five players playing in overseas leagues. (4 people participated in the interview)
After the event, we talked about life in the area and current activities.
・ Kazuma Kobayashi
Shonan Gakuin High School → Chuo Gakuin University → Burleigh Heads FC → Logan Lightning FC → Olympia FC Warriors (Australia)
Kobayashi: I've been playing in Australia for the third season. I returned to Japan around April of this year due to the influence of Corona.
Now I am playing soccer in the community such as morning training and maintaining the condition.
--What was the impact of Corona in Australia?
Kobayashi: From around the end of January, I was racist as an Asian. I belong to the Tasmanian team of the National Premier League (NPL) in Australia, but there are few Japanese in Tasmania, and when I look at me, the locals hide their faces and mouths with their hands.
――What kind of response did you take in such a situation?
Kobayashi: Anyway, I thought that I had to show it by playing, so I started practicing hard. In the end, I had to return home because I couldn't get a visa due to the influence of Corona. I have a contract for next season as well, so I would like to return if I have a clear idea.
――It was said that corona was popular in Asia at first, but the number of positive people has increased in Italy and the United States as well. Has there been any change in your response?
Kobayashi: The team staff said, "That's not the case," and even protected it. There were many things that players from the opponent's team said in games.
--What about Tasmania's football and the environment?
Kobayashi: Tasmania is one of Australia's islands. It's located under Melbourne and Sydney, and it's carat in the summer and the weather is very nice.
Soccer is characterized by the edge of the ball and the physical part, but it varies considerably depending on the manager and team.
There are teams whose coach is Italian and who are strengthening their defense, and there are players who can kick in front and put their body in the forward because we are a British coach.
――Australia is a country with many immigrants, and there are various teams such as Croatian teams and Italian teams. How about in Tasmania?
Kobayashi: Tasmania also had Greek and Croatian clubs.
I am working with a Tasmanian team that belongs to the Australian NPL. You are playing in the Tasmanian league in Australia. (Australia's national league is A-League only)
There are only three foreigners and my team is British, American and Japanese. There were many American players on other teams, especially in the goalkeeper.
--What are your plans for the future?
Kobayashi: I don't think I can return to Australia (Tasmania) by the end of the year, so I'm wondering what to do from the beginning of the year. I'm planning to go back to the same team and play, but it's still unclear.
And in the future, I'm thinking of going out to various places to find people who will be sponsors and taking on the challenge of crowdfunding!
・ Yuki Kotoku
Yokohama FC Junior Youth → Yokohama FC Youth → Hosei University → FKcetinje (Montenegro) → NKvarteks (Croatia) → F Kotorant → Ifk Ås (Sweden)
Kotoku: After graduating from college, I played in Montenegro for half a year and then went to Croatia. Although the team was different, I lived with Shohei Yokoyama and played for half a year, then returned to Montenegro and played for about a year.
I was playing in Sweden until last year. I returned to Japan around October last year and was planning to go abroad at the timing of winter, but I couldn't go because of the influence of Corona.
It will be tough this summer, so I plan to stay in Japan at least until winter to maintain the condition.
Now I am registered with a team of the prefecture league I know, and I am allowed to practice and play games.
--Please tell us about Sweden. Do you have a cold image?
Kotoku: When I was saying "it's cold" in Sweden around September and October, I was told "it's not cold because it's -20 degrees in winter". I couldn't feel the cold because I wasn't there until winter, but it was very rural. It was a peaceful town with deer and squirrels.
Even so, cashless payments were about 80% popular and convenient. You lived near the Norwegian border.
――What kind of soccer is it?
Kotoku: Although it was the 4th division, there were many foreign players. I lived with Poles, and for some reason there were many Polish and American players. There weren't any Swedes on my team. Since the category is low, there is no foreigner quota.
There were only 3 Serbs, 2 Japanese, 2 Americans, 2 Poles, 2 Afghanistans, and 3 Swedes 15 years old on the bench.
It was intense soccer. In games, I felt rough because I fought with emotions rather than skills and tactics.
――Are there any countries you are aiming for next?
Kotoku: Basically, I'm thinking about Europe.
・Shionyu
Ritsumeikan Uji → Nippon Sport Science University → club Real America (Bolivia)
West: After graduating from Nippon Sport Science University, I went to Bolivia and returned to Bolivia in the middle of the second season. It is a team called Real America of Santa Claus. I returned to Japan on June 20th of this year.
--Did you stay in Bolivia until recently?
West: In Bolivia, the ban on going out started at the end of March, and I tried to endure it at home for three months, but it was tough.
――What were you doing for three months?
West: I was practicing handstands at home (laughs) After all, I couldn't do it like a beautiful gymnast.
――Why didn't you return to Japan in March or April?
West: I was thinking of enduring it.
――How did you practice?
West: I could only dribble by arranging PET bottles in the garden.
――Can you go to a nearby supermarket?
West: I have time to go to the supermarket only once a week in the morning like "Monday for 1 and 9 people, Tuesday for 2 and 8 people" with the number at the end of the ID card, and buy food for one week there ..
But I'm hungry and I ate it, and the 6th day is tough. There is only a cracker at home (laughs)
At that time, I got a meal and help from a Nikkei who is engaged in agriculture.
--It was very. What was the activity of the team during this period?
West: It was around March 15th that I was able to sign a contract with the current team, and from March 18th, I entered a self-restraint period.
But about the third month, the team said, "I can't pay my salary because I don't have any practice or games."
Even looking at the increase / decrease graph of positive people, I thought that I might not be able to return to Japan unless I return now, so I returned to Japan in June.
――Please tell us an episode unique to Bolivia.
West: I participated in a team in Potosi, a city of about 4000m, for only two days, but it was crazy. I was able to breathe just by going up one step from the road to the bus.
When I was a little distracted, such as when I was lining up between shooting exercises, I almost lost consciousness. It feels like a grand grand when you get drunk.
――The local people are okay, right?
West: I was born and raised there, so it looks okay. The sunburn was also gorgeous. Since 4000m is close to the sun, my skin becomes tattered.
――What are your plans for the future?
West: I'm sending emails to teams from various countries, but this year I'd like to play soccer anywhere I can play soccer, and when Corona calms down, I'd like to play in Central and South America.
I want to be an honorary mayor of a small town. Right now, I am practicing with a team of working people I know.
・ Shohei Yokoyama
Maebashi Ikuei High School ⇒ Thespakusatsu Gunma ⇒ FC Machida Zelvia ⇒ NK Medimlet Kozaratsu (Croatia) ⇒ Deutschlandsberger SC (Austria) ⇒ NK Valanjudin (Croatia 1st Division)
Yokoyama: I returned to Japan at the time before the corona epidemic. After that, due to the influence of Corona, I couldn't go abroad like everyone else.
I was looking for a team not only in Europe but also in Southeast Asia, but it was hard to decide, and when I tried to go abroad for the time being, I could not go due to the influence of Corona.
Right now, I'm keeping the condition by mixing it with a team I know or a team from a regional league, or by seeing a trainer.
――When do you plan to go abroad again?
Yokoyama: It depends on the situation of Corona, but I want to play for the time being, so I will search for a club that I can belong to, including in Japan. If possible, I would like to aim for a higher category, but I would like to see the balance.
The following is a roundtable discussion of four people.
――The players who are playing overseas are also returning to Japan, aren't they?
Kotoku: Most countries don't play league games.
West: Or do you endure it at home (laughs)
――What you all have in common is that you don't know when the league match will start. What's your particular problem right now?
Kotoku: After all it is corona.
Yokoyama: Because of Corona, I can't see. After that, my agent was a Croatian, but since I came back to Japan, I don't have an agent. One way is to open it up yourself without an agent. ..
Until now, I was moving around Croatia, so it was easy to move because I had my own connections and a Croatian agent, but if I think about expanding my horizons to different areas such as Asia, there is a limit to myself. right.
Kotoku: Mr. Changping has experience in the J-League and has a background in the first division of Croatia, so it would be better to ask an agent.
――Even if you want to participate in practice or transfer, it's difficult to even go abroad now.
Kotoku:That's right. Most clubs are now played by players in Japan, so the timing of the next transfer is winter.
Yokoyama: The timing to go abroad is difficult because the league match is interrupted due to the policy for Corona in each country. I don't think I can cut anything if I don't take action, but I can't do that right now.
――What did you feel when you played abroad?
West: Overseas, any poor player will take risks and attack.
Kotoku: I understand, even a poor player is scared because he will come up with a challenge.
West: Overseas players don't feel afraid of risk.
――What made you feel the difference between overseas and Japan other than soccer?
Yokoyama: The boiling point of laughter is lower overseas, isn't it?
West:Certainly! You can easily laugh overseas.
Yokoyama: It's good not to be laughable.
West: My teammate Colombian dances strangely, but it's a big laugh just to have that dance together. I'm in the story of everyone's Instagram that day (laughs)
――I think everyone is in a difficult situation, but at the end I was relieved by the story that made me laugh. Please tell us the story again!
From the left of the photo
・Shohei Yokoyama
Maebashi Ikuei High School ⇒ Thespakusatsu Gunma ⇒ FC Machida Zelvia ⇒ NK Medimlet Kozaratsu (Croatia) ⇒ Deutschlandsberger SC (Austria) ⇒ NK Valanjudin (Croatia 1st Division)
・Sionyo
Ritsumeikan Uji → Nippon Sport Science University → club Real America (Bolivia)
・Yuki Kotoku
Yokohama FCJY → Yokohama FC Youth → Hosei University → FKcetinje (Montenegro) → NKvarteks (Croatia) → FKotorant → Ifk Ås (Sweden)
・Hayahide Abe
Fuchinobe High School attached to Azabu University → Kanagawa University → FC Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia)
・Kazuma Kobayashi
Shonan Gakuin High School → Chuo Gakuin University → Burleigh Heads FC → Logan Lightning FC → Olympia FC Warriors (Australia)
After the event, we talked about life in the area and current activities.
・ Kazuma Kobayashi
Shonan Gakuin High School → Chuo Gakuin University → Burleigh Heads FC → Logan Lightning FC → Olympia FC Warriors (Australia)
Kobayashi: I've been playing in Australia for the third season. I returned to Japan around April of this year due to the influence of Corona.
Now I am playing soccer in the community such as morning training and maintaining the condition.
--What was the impact of Corona in Australia?
Kobayashi: From around the end of January, I was racist as an Asian. I belong to the Tasmanian team of the National Premier League (NPL) in Australia, but there are few Japanese in Tasmania, and when I look at me, the locals hide their faces and mouths with their hands.
――What kind of response did you take in such a situation?
Kobayashi: Anyway, I thought that I had to show it by playing, so I started practicing hard. In the end, I had to return home because I couldn't get a visa due to the influence of Corona. I have a contract for next season as well, so I would like to return if I have a clear idea.
――It was said that corona was popular in Asia at first, but the number of positive people has increased in Italy and the United States as well. Has there been any change in your response?
Kobayashi: The team staff said, "That's not the case," and even protected it. There were many things that players from the opponent's team said in games.
--What about Tasmania's football and the environment?
Kobayashi: Tasmania is one of Australia's islands. It's located under Melbourne and Sydney, and it's carat in the summer and the weather is very nice.
Soccer is characterized by the edge of the ball and the physical part, but it varies considerably depending on the manager and team.
There are teams whose coach is Italian and who are strengthening their defense, and there are players who can kick in front and put their body in the forward because we are a British coach.
――Australia is a country with many immigrants, and there are various teams such as Croatian teams and Italian teams. How about in Tasmania?
Kobayashi: Tasmania also had Greek and Croatian clubs.
I am working with a Tasmanian team that belongs to the Australian NPL. You are playing in the Tasmanian league in Australia. (Australia's national league is A-League only)
There are only three foreigners and my team is British, American and Japanese. There were many American players on other teams, especially in the goalkeeper.
--What are your plans for the future?
Kobayashi: I don't think I can return to Australia (Tasmania) by the end of the year, so I'm wondering what to do from the beginning of the year. I'm planning to go back to the same team and play, but it's still unclear.
And in the future, I'm thinking of going out to various places to find people who will be sponsors and taking on the challenge of crowdfunding!
・ Yuki Kotoku
Yokohama FC Junior Youth → Yokohama FC Youth → Hosei University → FKcetinje (Montenegro) → NKvarteks (Croatia) → F Kotorant → Ifk Ås (Sweden)
Kotoku: After graduating from college, I played in Montenegro for half a year and then went to Croatia. Although the team was different, I lived with Shohei Yokoyama and played for half a year, then returned to Montenegro and played for about a year.
I was playing in Sweden until last year. I returned to Japan around October last year and was planning to go abroad at the timing of winter, but I couldn't go because of the influence of Corona.
It will be tough this summer, so I plan to stay in Japan at least until winter to maintain the condition.
Now I am registered with a team of the prefecture league I know, and I am allowed to practice and play games.
--Please tell us about Sweden. Do you have a cold image?
Kotoku: When I was saying "it's cold" in Sweden around September and October, I was told "it's not cold because it's -20 degrees in winter". I couldn't feel the cold because I wasn't there until winter, but it was very rural. It was a peaceful town with deer and squirrels.
Even so, cashless payments were about 80% popular and convenient. You lived near the Norwegian border.
――What kind of soccer is it?
Kotoku: Although it was the 4th division, there were many foreign players. I lived with Poles, and for some reason there were many Polish and American players. There weren't any Swedes on my team. Since the category is low, there is no foreigner quota.
There were only 3 Serbs, 2 Japanese, 2 Americans, 2 Poles, 2 Afghanistans, and 3 Swedes 15 years old on the bench.
It was intense soccer. In games, I felt rough because I fought with emotions rather than skills and tactics.
――Are there any countries you are aiming for next?
Kotoku: Basically, I'm thinking about Europe.
・Shionyu
Ritsumeikan Uji → Nippon Sport Science University → club Real America (Bolivia)
West: After graduating from Nippon Sport Science University, I went to Bolivia and returned to Bolivia in the middle of the second season. It is a team called Real America of Santa Claus. I returned to Japan on June 20th of this year.
--Did you stay in Bolivia until recently?
West: In Bolivia, the ban on going out started at the end of March, and I tried to endure it at home for three months, but it was tough.
――What were you doing for three months?
West: I was practicing handstands at home (laughs) After all, I couldn't do it like a beautiful gymnast.
――Why didn't you return to Japan in March or April?
West: I was thinking of enduring it.
――How did you practice?
West: I could only dribble by arranging PET bottles in the garden.
――Can you go to a nearby supermarket?
West: I have time to go to the supermarket only once a week in the morning like "Monday for 1 and 9 people, Tuesday for 2 and 8 people" with the number at the end of the ID card, and buy food for one week there ..
But I'm hungry and I ate it, and the 6th day is tough. There is only a cracker at home (laughs)
At that time, I got a meal and help from a Nikkei who is engaged in agriculture.
--It was very. What was the activity of the team during this period?
West: It was around March 15th that I was able to sign a contract with the current team, and from March 18th, I entered a self-restraint period.
But about the third month, the team said, "I can't pay my salary because I don't have any practice or games."
Even looking at the increase / decrease graph of positive people, I thought that I might not be able to return to Japan unless I return now, so I returned to Japan in June.
――Please tell us an episode unique to Bolivia.
West: I participated in a team in Potosi, a city of about 4000m, for only two days, but it was crazy. I was able to breathe just by going up one step from the road to the bus.
When I was a little distracted, such as when I was lining up between shooting exercises, I almost lost consciousness. It feels like a grand grand when you get drunk.
――The local people are okay, right?
West: I was born and raised there, so it looks okay. The sunburn was also gorgeous. Since 4000m is close to the sun, my skin becomes tattered.
――What are your plans for the future?
West: I'm sending emails to teams from various countries, but this year I'd like to play soccer anywhere I can play soccer, and when Corona calms down, I'd like to play in Central and South America.
I want to be an honorary mayor of a small town. Right now, I am practicing with a team of working people I know.
・ Shohei Yokoyama
Maebashi Ikuei High School ⇒ Thespakusatsu Gunma ⇒ FC Machida Zelvia ⇒ NK Medimlet Kozaratsu (Croatia) ⇒ Deutschlandsberger SC (Austria) ⇒ NK Valanjudin (Croatia 1st Division)
Yokoyama: I returned to Japan at the time before the corona epidemic. After that, due to the influence of Corona, I couldn't go abroad like everyone else.
I was looking for a team not only in Europe but also in Southeast Asia, but it was hard to decide, and when I tried to go abroad for the time being, I could not go due to the influence of Corona.
Right now, I'm keeping the condition by mixing it with a team I know or a team from a regional league, or by seeing a trainer.
――When do you plan to go abroad again?
Yokoyama: It depends on the situation of Corona, but I want to play for the time being, so I will search for a club that I can belong to, including in Japan. If possible, I would like to aim for a higher category, but I would like to see the balance.
The following is a roundtable discussion of four people.
――The players who are playing overseas are also returning to Japan, aren't they?
Kotoku: Most countries don't play league games.
West: Or do you endure it at home (laughs)
――What you all have in common is that you don't know when the league match will start. What's your particular problem right now?
Kotoku: After all it is corona.
Yokoyama: Because of Corona, I can't see. After that, my agent was a Croatian, but since I came back to Japan, I don't have an agent. One way is to open it up yourself without an agent. ..
Until now, I was moving around Croatia, so it was easy to move because I had my own connections and a Croatian agent, but if I think about expanding my horizons to different areas such as Asia, there is a limit to myself. right.
Kotoku: Mr. Changping has experience in the J-League and has a background in the first division of Croatia, so it would be better to ask an agent.
――Even if you want to participate in practice or transfer, it's difficult to even go abroad now.
Kotoku:That's right. Most clubs are now played by players in Japan, so the timing of the next transfer is winter.
Yokoyama: The timing to go abroad is difficult because the league match is interrupted due to the policy for Corona in each country. I don't think I can cut anything if I don't take action, but I can't do that right now.
――What did you feel when you played abroad?
West: Overseas, any poor player will take risks and attack.
Kotoku: I understand, even a poor player is scared because he will come up with a challenge.
West: Overseas players don't feel afraid of risk.
――What made you feel the difference between overseas and Japan other than soccer?
Yokoyama: The boiling point of laughter is lower overseas, isn't it?
West:Certainly! You can easily laugh overseas.
Yokoyama: It's good not to be laughable.
West: My teammate Colombian dances strangely, but it's a big laugh just to have that dance together. I'm in the story of everyone's Instagram that day (laughs)
――I think everyone is in a difficult situation, but at the end I was relieved by the story that made me laugh. Please tell us the story again!
From the left of the photo
・Shohei Yokoyama
Maebashi Ikuei High School ⇒ Thespakusatsu Gunma ⇒ FC Machida Zelvia ⇒ NK Medimlet Kozaratsu (Croatia) ⇒ Deutschlandsberger SC (Austria) ⇒ NK Valanjudin (Croatia 1st Division)
・Sionyo
Ritsumeikan Uji → Nippon Sport Science University → club Real America (Bolivia)
・Yuki Kotoku
Yokohama FCJY → Yokohama FC Youth → Hosei University → FKcetinje (Montenegro) → NKvarteks (Croatia) → FKotorant → Ifk Ås (Sweden)
・Hayahide Abe
Fuchinobe High School attached to Azabu University → Kanagawa University → FC Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia)
・Kazuma Kobayashi
Shonan Gakuin High School → Chuo Gakuin University → Burleigh Heads FC → Logan Lightning FC → Olympia FC Warriors (Australia)
