Seiji Imai (4th year Liberal Arts student) from the soccer club has been offered a contract with Criacão Shinjuku of the Japan Football League (JFL) (as of January 10, 2024).
In the 2023 academic year, our university's soccer team won the Tokyo University Soccer Federation's Challenge League with an undefeated record and was promoted to the second division. In particular, Imai, a midfielder with exceptional talent, made a significant contribution to the team's victory, including achieving a hat-trick in the final match. Imai is the first player from our university to be selected for the Japan Football League (JFL).
We interviewed Imai, reflecting on his soccer career so far and discussing his future goals.
What got you started playing soccer?
I had so much fun playing soccer with my friends during recess when I was in elementary school. My older brother played baseball, so my parents wanted me to play baseball too, but I argued with them for about a year, saying, "I want to play soccer." When I was in third grade, my teacher saw me playing soccer with older students and told my parents that I seemed to have more talent than others, which is how I was able to start playing soccer.
Looking back on your four years of club activities at university, what are your most enjoyable memories?
This is my final season, after all. In the end, we were able to win all our matches and become champions, and I'm really glad that the team was able to finish the season united. At first, the team was not united at all and we struggled. The soccer club was designated as a specially strengthened club last year, but before that, it was more like an extension of a club, with an atmosphere of "let's have fun" rather than being obsessed with winning. Of course, there were players who joined with that mindset, and when we wanted to be serious, we couldn't all be serious together. This year, I made an effort to create time to talk one-on-one and made it important to have proper discussions. As a result, I feel that as we played more matches, the feelings of the whole team united in the desire to "win all our matches and be promoted to the second division." I was also very happy that we were able to beat Soka University, a team we had been losing to for the past few years. I feel that I was able to contribute to the team and fulfill my role by achieving a hat-trick.
Conversely, what was the most difficult thing about your four years of club activities at university?
I think it was during my second year of university. Looking back now, I think it was the year that became a turning point for me. In high school, I played for a strong team, but my communication style and way of thinking were immature, and I clashed with the coach. I started to think that I didn't want to play soccer seriously anymore, and that it would be fine to just play it as an extension of a club activity. However, when I started playing soccer in university, I wanted to compete seriously. At that time, I struggled with the difference in enthusiasm between myself and those around me, and I ended up criticizing them harshly with words like, "Why aren't you doing it?" When we were clashing repeatedly, I talked with my teammates about "accepting that each person has different ideas about playing soccer and how to bridge the gap in enthusiasm." Instead of blaming them with "Why aren't you doing it?", I started saying things like, "I think it would work if we did it this way," and first changed my own mindset while involving everyone. I was saved by the fact that many of my teammates said, "If we're going to do it, let's aim high and do our best," and that became the turning point for me. In the end, the team also moved in a positive direction, so I'm glad.
What has been important to Imai over the past four years?
It's about how you communicate. In high school, I regretted not having carefully reconsidered how I communicated and listened, as I think I could have built better relationships with those around me. As mentioned earlier, after a conflict in my second year, I realized I needed to change myself. With the help of my classmates, I learned how to approach things while prioritizing communication, such as listening to the other person first and then working together to come up with solutions. I feel that I have grown significantly in this area.
How did you feel when you received a job offer?
I originally planned to play for an amateur team, and my goal is to become a professional soccer player. When I heard that I had been offered a position, I was honestly relieved. Criacão Shinjuku is a team that values personality, and I was given the opportunity to interview several players. Each time I shared past experiences and explained why I play soccer, I think my self-understanding deepened. I want to repay the people who have supported me through soccer. Right now, all I want is to play in a match as soon as possible. I will not spare any effort to achieve that.
[Please tell us about your aspirations for the future.]
I'm not going to be intimidated just because it's my first year, and I'm going to aim for an individual award. I'm going to do everything I can to get into the game from the very first match. When I get the chance to play, I want to be a player who can enjoy playing football myself and also entertain the supporters who come to watch. I think that will also be a way to repay my parents for all their support up to this point. Ultimately, I aim to become a professional, but first I want to contribute to the team so that Criacão Shinjuku can be promoted to J3 and get results.
[Finally, please give a message to your juniors.]
Starting next year, you'll be competing in the second division, so I think there will be many tough matches. I hope you won't let your guard down and will win each and every game to accumulate victories. I hope you'll make the most of this off-season and work hard in practice in order to achieve promotion to the first division in one year. I'm cheering for you!
