After his success in Red Bull Salzburg, one of the strongest professional football clubs in Austria, Masaya Okugawa joined the German sports club Arminia Bielefeld on loan in January 2021. The decision seemed to add even more excitement to his career. In this second half of the interview Okugawa reveals the reasons behind his success this season and future goals

In January 2021, Okugawa left Red Bull Salzburg to Ariminia Bielefeld, a sports club commonly known for its professional football team in the German Bundesliga’s top tier, on a loan contract until the end of the season in June. “To be honest, that was unexpected,” confesses Okugawa with a wry grin. “I’m a fan of Spanish soccer and I’ve always said that my dream one day would be to play on a Spanish team. Which is why I thought that my success in Austria would perhaps get me a step closer, but I’ve been told several times how my achievements don’t count since the Austrian Bundesliga is not one of the ‘major’ soccer leagues in the world. It started to feel like I did everything I could in Salzburg, and that’s when Bielefeld reached out to me.”

Since January is in the middle of the season, it’s not the best timing for new players to join and get a position on the pitch since the team has most likely found their groove by then. Okugawa, however, still made 13 league appearances and was even on the starting lineup in 11 of them. Although he was able to score only one goal, he helped the team that had just risen to the German top flight to stay there. “I was able to experience firsthand how high their level of soccer is during my six months there. I was thrilled to play with such strong players, so much that I wanted to fully transfer to Germany the following season.”

Okugawa’s hope was fulfilled, as he has signed a permanent deal with Bielefeld. And as of February 28th, 2022, he has played in 23 games and scored 8 goals so far in the 2021-22 season. The 25-year-old Japanese player is the top scorer on the team. “Our team does have our own challenges, but we are blessed with amazing supporters and teammates. I think my current performance is due to how I got to play here for half a year last season, which allowed me to build a foundation. My teammates give me great passes too. Bielefeld’s soccer players are known to run the most in Germany, and it’s fun playing here with a sense of unity, giving our best and running together toward victory.”

Today, Okugawa maintains a good balance in terms of his mental and physical fitness. His mindset towards mistakes and poor performances changed since he began playing in Europe. Being around teammates who are from all over the world and hence with various perspectives became a significant learning opportunity for him. “I’ve seen how my teammates, who sometimes make the simplest mistakes at practice, score some stunning goals at games. Soccer players here almost never dwell on their mistakes, which is something that doesn’t happen among Japanese players. And being around them has naturally helped me to think that way too. We all have our good days and bad days, but your future performance changes by whether you stay negatively affected by your poor performance. So, even if you had a bad day, just be done with it by the end of the day, and if practice goes well the next day, then you’re fine. Since I started thinking this way, I now experience fewer emotional roller coaster rides. I’m able to have a steady mindset and I think that’s what’s helped me achieve good results this season.” After his years of playing professionally in Europe, Okugawa has learned the difficult skill of swiftly brushing aside negative thoughts and move forward.

Physical fitness, on the other hand, is directly influenced by nutritional intake. His years of playing professionally and having to maintain a high performance has made Okugawa conscious of what he eats. “I had a hard time trying to gain weight before. I tried eating whatever I wanted but then my body would feel heavy the next day, and nothing was working. I then became more conscious about my diet as I grew older, and since two to three years ago I’ve been inviting a chef over to my home and asking what’s best to eat before and after games. I can eat Japanese meals a lot more compared to other meals, so I used to find someone who can cook them for me.”

Today, his spouse supports him with his diet. “Before I got married, I would sometimes lose two to three kilograms after a game. No wonder I gained weight! At Bielefeld we’re expected to give our 100 percent even during practice, so it’s crucial that we eat right on a daily basis. My wife really thinks through our menu and what to eat before a game for lasting energy. I think it’s also because of her effort that I’m able to perform this well this season.”

One other thing is related to his success: Sun Chlorella. “I first heard about Sun Chlorella from an acquaintance of mine about a year ago when I returned to Japan. During times when I have to restrict my diet and try to make up for my nutritional intake with supplements, I get worried whether taking them might lead me to doping charges. Sun Chlorella A is NSF Certified for Sport, which is why I tried taking it. It’s not like the supplement boosts my performance overnight, but I’ve been feeling its health benefits in the long run, so I think it’s the right supplement for me.”

The 2022 Qatar World Cup is coming up later this year in November. If the Japan national team led by head coach Hajime Moriyasu passes the Asian qualification rounds, then Okugawa might have a shot at playing at the World Cup. The 25-year-old who has stepped up at Bielefeld is someone that Moriyasu keeps an eye on. “The World Cup has always been my biggest dream since I was a kid, and I’ve also always wanted to play on the Japan team. That’s why I’m determined to stand out as a strong player at Bielefeld. The club has already given me so much, so by scoring goals I hope to help the team stay in the top tier. That’s my short-term goal for now.”

Head coach Moriyasu is one among many who looks forward to Okugawa’s success. Aspiring J.League players and children who dream of playing on the Japan team one day must also be inspired by his achievements. “Whether they want to be a professional soccer player in the future or play internationally, I hope that kids would focus on simply enjoying the sport while they’re still kids. I’ve always thought that having fun with it makes you try harder, which makes you grow stronger. So just have fun kicking a ball while you’re young, then when you’re old enough, start thinking about how you can pursue your dream of becoming a professional soccer player. You can also find an ideal soccer player and try copying how they play. And even though it might be hard to get enough practice while this pandemic continues, I think it also helps to look at video clips and imagine yourself playing as a way to practice soccer.”

For Okugawa, his childhood idol was Neymar. And even though he himself is a successful player in Europe, he still looks up to the Brazilian star who wears the No. 10 jersey on the Brazil men’s national football team. With his unwavering passion for soccer, the sky is the limit!