OZU MOREIRA

‘‘Until they called my name, I really didn’t expect it’’

He had been named in the Best 5 five times (something no one else can say), he was named best player of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in 2019, and he has been the MVP of many events during this year, but Ozu had never had the honour of being chosen as the Best Player of the Year by his colleagues. Something finally changed this November.

We have the honour of speaking to one of the most recognisable figures in the beach soccer world, and now the very best beach soccer player in the world – Ozu! Thank for joining us.

Hello! Thank you. Hello everyone.

Tell us, has it sunk in yet? Have you come to terms with your new title?

Yeah I’m really happy. It was one of my dreams, becoming the best player in the world. I was working very hard towards this and finally I was nominated. I’m very happy but I still find it hard to recognise what has happened.

How was the trip back? Did you have a special seat for the trophy?

[Laughs] Yeah it was a good flight, not many people on the plane. I had three seats for myself so I could put the trophy by my side and we could both sleep.

Let’s just go back to that moment where you were named Best Player, what were the immediate emotions you felt?

I was very nervous because I had Leo [Martins] and Philipp [Borer] next to me, two great players, and when they called my name it was like a dream for me. My teammates and the coaching staff were there with me. It was a very important moment.

And what’s the reaction been like in Japan?

My teammates, and in Tokyo Verdy as well, were very happy. They had expected me to get the Best Player after the Paraguay World Cup, so now it’s finally come and when we came back to Japan I had so many messages. They’re very happy.

‘‘ I immediately thought about my teammates. I am very thankful to them ’’

What about media interest? Can this lift yours and beach soccer’s status in the country?

I think so yes. We need to finish the quarantine then we can start doing some TV interviews. I just had two zoom interviews earlier today. But yes, I think it’s going to help beach soccer. We have our championship here on the 28th so I think it will help. We tried to push having the second place in the World Cup and we’re trying to organise the Japanese league for next year, like they have in Russia, Italy and Portugal as well.

I thanked them very much because when I first arrived in Japan they were so friendly and they helped me with everything, especially as I didn’t speak Japanese. That’s why I wanted to say thank you to them. 15 years here, I know I was born in Brazil but I really feel Japanese and I feel at home. I just wanted to say thank you to them and to work hard to get more championships too.

You always say how grateful you are to the Japanese people, but surely, they’re grateful to you too? You’ve done so much for the sport in Japan.

When I came here in 2007, beach soccer was just starting. No one knew how to play. I came from Brazil where we had great players like Júnior Negão, Jorginho, so it was a surprise for me. Ruy Ramos was here too and he was helping as well. I think it’s been a good combination. They help me and I help them and for me it’s always a gift to play for Japan. I love this country and I love playing for them and I will always do my best to help them.

‘‘ When I arrived in Japan, in 2007, beach soccer was very unknown ’’

You speak many languages: your native language is Portuguese, you speak English and Spanish, and now of course you speak fluent Japanese. How hard was it to learn?

It took me maybe four or five years. I came here just speaking Portuguese, and most of them don’t speak English either. At the beginning, to become Japanese I needed to live here for five years and to speak Japanese. I always trained with Japanese players and spent time with local people. I went to summer schools too, but most of it was just trying to be with the players, make friends, going places by myself, even if I don’t understand what they said. The first few years I had many Brazilian players here with me. Like Neném – we just spoke Portuguese. When they left it improved. I was living in Okinawa, and then I moved to Tokyo and it’s a big city. There are many international people there. Maybe four years it took me to learn in total.

It was my first time in the top three players, I’ve reached the Best 5 six times, so I waited a long time for this moment, but Leo had a great season with Portugal scoring many goals, and Phillip had a great World Cup as well. I think between us, whoever was chosen would have been a good choice. But until they called the name out, I really didn’t expect it. I was really surprised.

How much of an effect do you think Japan’s performance in the World Cup, finishing second, had on you winning the award?

We had a very good World Cup in Paraguay. We were very upset because we had a chance to fight for a medal but we lost to Portugal on penalties, When we came back to Japan, Ruy Ramos left and they offered me the chance to be the coach, so it was a big addition for me. At Tokyo Verdy I do both, but to lead the national team and play at the same time is really tough. When the JFA (Japanese Football Association) asked me, I couldn’t say no. I had Tabata who retired and became the second coach. We try to play at the highest level. We always seem to finish in a good place, but we don’t get the results. The second place is great and we lost to Russia who are a great team, great players, and were playing at home with an amazing atmosphere. It was one of the best World Cups I’ve played in. The atmosphere was amazing.

So what are they key learnings?

we need to change many things in Japan, we need a league. We have tournaments but not a league, the players aren’t professional yet. They need to earn money playing. So, I think finishing second is a good reason to start to change the things. I’m talking about the federation, the confederation, they should help us. The players are doing an amazing job. They train and work and they train and work, just to try and do their best to have a great team but with this result now we will try and make beach soccer more famous and have a better chance to win the World Cup. Being the head coach and player, I see the guys understand what I want to do, so they try and help me on the pitch. We have many players like Oba and Akaguma who score many goals. We also had two young players as well. I always try to be the best in my position, the best defender. I train and work harder every year. Even if I play for the team, I defend a lot and try and let them play free, that’s why I always fight for the Best 5, to be the best defender. Of course, I always wanted to try and get more and become the Best Player but I think they often choose the players who score goals. It’s not easy to win as a defender. But how we played this World Cup, and how I defended and how I try to make my team play… it’s not just for me.

‘‘ It took me four to five years to learn proficient Japanese ’’

What does the future hold for Japan and beach soccer now?

Now we should get ready for the next world cup, that is necesarrily our biggest comming challenge. We don’t know where it will be, but our dream was to bring it here to Japan. But I think it won’t be possible now but should now try to form a league here in Japan. The national team is getting stronger but our base here in Japan is not ready. We should start thinking about new players and new places. We don’t have many beach soccer pitches in Japan.

And for you personally...?

[Laughs] I want to keep playing more, I feel I am still in a good shape. I was playing with Andrade in the Mundialito de Clubes, as he was playing with Verdy, and he is now 42, and he told me he wants to play for ten more years and I said, “I can’t let him beat me!” [Laughs] I don’t have any injuries, I still have power to help the team and I want to take Tokyo Verdy to be the champion of the Mundialito, I want to play in more competitions abroad, like the Euro Winners Cup maybe Russia and Italy, and take the gold medal in the World Cup for the Japanese national team. We have many things to do, but always my goal is to take Japanese beach soccer to a higher level.

That’s good news for us to hear that you’ll be around for many years to come! Thanks so much Ozu.