Leaving behind promotion to the second division as a parting gift.
Running the path to becoming a professional

College of Arts and Sciences Third-year students
Soccer Club Midfielder
Graduate of Shoshi High School, Fukushima Prefecture

Seiji Imai

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I once lost my passion for soccer, but I realized my love for the sport after being away from it.

When I was little, I played baseball influenced by my older brother, but I wanted to play soccer myself. Amidst all this, when I was in third grade, my homeroom teacher discovered my soccer sense. He encouraged his family as well, and from there, he went straight to soccer. In junior high, he joined a local club team in Gunma Prefecture, and in high school, he attended a prestigious soccer school in Fukushima Prefecture. In his third year, he played as a regular player in the National High School Soccer Championship. On the other hand, I gained a sense of accomplishment, and due to injuries and other factors, I temporarily lost my passion for soccer. There was also a path called a soccer recommendation, but I entered J. F. Oberlin University through a general entrance exam.

However, after being away from it for a while, I realized I couldn't imagine life without soccer. With encouragement from upperclassmen and participation in practice matches, I decided to join the soccer club before even entering university. Looking back now, I'm truly glad I didn't quit soccer.

Working together with teammates, coaches, and managers, we aim to reach the top as a team.

During my first and second years, I enjoyed playing soccer in a free, club-like atmosphere, but this year, with the appointment of a head coach and assistant coach, the atmosphere of the club has changed dramatically. Managing everything ourselves, from practices to matches, was good in terms of fostering autonomy, but I think it was also difficult in terms of growth due to the many constraints. Until then, because there was no coach, I was the one who created the practice menus and taught my teammates, but now I can concentrate on my own play. With a head coach, we can objectively evaluate and analyze our play, making it clear what we are doing well and what we are doing poorly, and the whole team has developed a desire to "aim higher." Both the team and I feel that we have grown.

Of course, it's not like we're leaving everything to the coach. I think we're moving in a positive direction, where the good things about Obirin's soccer team are that each player thinks about "what they want to do" and "what they should do," and the players and coach work together to build the team. That being said, I still think that individual skills and tactical understanding are lacking, so we need to start by raising the level of each individual player.

I want to build Obirin's style of soccer and definitely achieve results next season.

During my high school years, I played soccer in a very competitive and demanding environment, so when mistakes were made, I would sometimes speak harshly to my teammates, questioning them about their mistakes. This could ruin the team's atmosphere and ultimately lead to losses.

In that context, the appointment of the new coach was a major event in my university soccer career. I've left the technical and tactical aspects of coaching to the coach, and now I'm trying to encourage my teammates rather than pointing out their mistakes. I've learned not only about technical skills, but also the importance of communication.

Unfortunately, we weren't able to get promoted to the second division this season, but next season I want to get promoted for the sake of my juniors before I graduate. I also want to create a solid training environment so that we can compete in the second division. Right now, it's not quite the style of football I envision, but I want to create Obirin's style of football by adapting to everyone's strengths and bringing out their individual abilities.

After graduation, I plan to continue playing soccer in amateur leagues and other leagues, aiming to become a professional. I want to raise my own level even further and definitely win the championship next season.

Interview date:
This was done in October 2022 for the "Obirin Sports" website.

Leaving behind promotion to the second division as a parting gift.Running the path to becoming a professional

Main content

I once lost my passion for soccer, but I realized my love for the sport after being away from it.

Working together with teammates, coaches, and managers, we aim to reach the top as a team.

I want to build Obirin's style of soccer and definitely achieve results next season.

Related content

Leaving behind promotion to the second division as a parting gift.
Running the path to becoming a professional