The Brazilian-born phenomenon opens up about a life-changing decision to represent the country he fell in love with
One of the most recognisable faces in the world of beach soccer is that of the towering Japanese number 10, Ozu Moreira.
Winner of the Golden Ball in the recently concluded FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2019 in Paraguay, as well as making the world’s Top 5 Stars in Dubai yet again in November, there are few individual awards that Ozu hasn’t won.
He captains a Japanese team that has enjoyed an incredible period of improvement over the last year or so, winning the AFC Championships to make this year’s edition of the World Cup, and finishing in fourth place, ahead of Ozu’s native Brazil.
This incredible achievement matched the Samurai’s record finish in the competition way back in 2005, when they finished a position behind Brazil who took third.
Despite representing Japan on the sand, Ozu’s story begins in Rio de Janeiro…
“I born 21 January 1986 in Rio, so I grew up playing beach soccer on Copacabana Beach from the age of six”, Ozu told Beach Soccer Worldwide.
He played with members of the current Brazilian beach soccer squad including Rafinha, Bokinha and former world’s best player, Mauricinho.
But as such players continued on the path to representing the Canarinha, Ozu had different ambitions. “My dream was never to play with Brazil.” he admits. “It was to compete abroad, learn about a new culture, and be able to live there playing beach soccer.”
Despite having alternative aspirations to his Brazilian countrymen, Ozu recognises that he wouldn’t be the player he is today if it weren’t for his early experiences on Copacabana Beach.
“Where I was born and grew up definitely had a big influence on my beach soccer career. I lived five minutes from the beach, and was always there with my friends watching or playing beach soccer.”
“Growing up, it was also normal to have beach soccer on TV and I was always watching the top players. This environment naturally made me want to become a beach soccer player in the future.”
Ozu started playing at a very young age and remembers his first event well…
“I was 10 years old and my beach soccer school received an invitation to play the exhibition game before a Brazil match on Copacabana. There were 5,000 people waiting to watch the game and it was amazing to play in front of such a big crowd.”
Since then, as well as representing the Japanese national team, he has played for beach soccer clubs including FC Barcelona (Spain), Tokyo Verde (Japan), Falfala (Israel) and Viareggio (Italy) with whom he won the Euro Winners Cup in 2016.
Having a dream is one thing, but with the promise of so many trophies and successes in the Brazilian team, what was it that made Ozu finally commit to the Samurai squad?
“I received an invitation from a Japanese team to play for them when I was 21 years old. As I said, I always wanted to play out of Brazil and to learn another language and culture, so I went.”
There is a strong link between the two countries, and the current Japanese coach, Ruy Ramos himself is Brazilian. On top of that, the biggest community of Japanese people outside of Japan is in – you guessed it – Brazil!
Many are choosing to go the other way too, and Ozu soon saw why so many of his fellow Brazilians have started making the journey across the Pacific Ocean.
“When I arrived at Okinawa Island (Japan), I saw that it was an amazing place to live, beautiful beaches and good weather all the season. just like Rio. The Japanese people received me so kindly and were so welcoming. I felt right at home.”
“I fell in love with the country and its people. This is why I want to play for Japan and represent the flag and the people, and why I’m trying to take Japan to the very top of the beach soccer.”
“I want repay all the kindness and love that I have always received from this country and its citizens. I want to take Japan to a World Cup title! That is my big dream.”
On a personal level, the defender has been included in the Best 5 Players in five out of the six years that the award has been in existence. However, he has never been nominated in the final three to win the award for Best Player.
But Ozu, who recently scored his 100th goal for Japan after just 93 matches, states that, “One of my personal dreams is to win the Best Player award and I will keep working hard towards this.” he assures.
Ambition is one thing that Ozu oozes, and with his adopted country behind him, he believes that the sky is the limit, both for Japan and himself.
