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Ryuki Kozawa

Japanese former footballer Ryuki Kozawa played professionally in Japan, Thailand, India, the Philippines, Latvia, and Poland.

1. Personal Background

Ryuki Kozawa was born on February 6, 1988, in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. He is known by the nicknames "Koza" and "Kozini." His younger sister, Marina Ozawa, is an actress. Kozawa stands 67 in (170 cm) tall and weighs 152 lb (69 kg), with a dominant right foot.

2. Youth Career

Kozawa began playing football at the age of three. From his fourth year of elementary school, he joined Nagoya FC, a local club, representing Ueno Elementary School and Shinpo Junior High School.

In 2003, he enrolled at Aomori Yamada High School, where he immediately made an impact, wearing the number 10 jersey from his first year and establishing himself as the team's ace striker. In his third year, he served as team captain. During this period, he formed a formidable partnership with fellow forward Shun Ito, leading Aomori Yamada to victory in the Inter-High School Sports Festival. In the 84th National High School Football Championship, Kozawa, alongside Rei Matsumoto, was recognized with the Excellent Player Award.

His talent was also evident on the international youth stage. In 2004, as part of the U-16 Japan national team, he participated in the Montaigu Tournament, where he notably scored a hat-trick in the final against Italy, securing the championship and earning the top scorer award for the tournament. He also played in the Milk Cup, Toyota International Youth Soccer Tournament, Hokkaido International Youth Soccer Tournament, and the AFC U-17 Championship 2004.

3. Professional Career

Ryuki Kozawa's professional football career saw him play for numerous clubs across different continents, including Japan, East and Southeast Asia, and Europe.

3.1. Japan

Kozawa began his professional career in Japan, playing for several clubs in the J.League and Japan Football League before moving abroad.

He signed his first professional contract with FC Tokyo in the J1 League in 2006. His debut came on April 22, 2006, in a match against Gamba Osaka. He made his first start in the 2006 Yamazaki Nabisco Cup against Urawa Red Diamonds, where he was deployed as a midfielder and contributed to activating the midfield with his high work rate. In May 2007, he was called up to a training camp for the U-20 Japan national team as part of the final selection process for the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup. However, he began to suffer from groin pain syndrome, which was later diagnosed as groin pain syndrome, leading to his withdrawal from the camp and missing out on the U-20 World Cup. Following the 2008 season, FC Tokyo decided not to renew his contract.

In 2008, Kozawa was loaned to Gainare Tottori in the Japan Football League (JFL) to gain more playing experience. He had a strong season, scoring a team-high 11 goals. After his contract with FC Tokyo was not renewed, he participated in the J.League Joint Tryout. In 2009, he made a permanent move to Gainare Tottori. However, his playing time gradually decreased, and he was not offered a contract extension after the 2010 season.

In 2011, Kozawa transferred permanently to Blaublitz Akita, another JFL club. He adapted to playing as a side attacker within the team's three-top formation. Despite being offered a contract extension by the club, he declined and departed at the end of the year.

Later in his career, in July 2017, Kozawa returned to Japan to join Toyota Shūkyūdan in the Tokai Adult Soccer League Division 1. He initially wore the number 6 jersey but later changed to 23. He played for the club until December 2017.

3.2. East and Southeast Asia

Kozawa also ventured into football leagues across East and Southeast Asia, experiencing different playing styles and environments.

In March 2012, he joined Pattaya United FC in the Thai Premier League. His time in Thailand was cut short when he fractured his metatarsal in June of the same year. Due to foreign player quota restrictions, Pattaya United terminated his contract in July 2012.

From January to June 2016, Kozawa played for Mumbai FC in the I-League in India.

He then returned to Thailand in June 2016, joining Lampang FC. He played for the club in the Thai Division 1 League in 2016 and the Thai League 2 in 2017, remaining with them until April 2017.

In 2018, Kozawa moved to the Philippines to play for JPV Marikina FC.

3.3. Europe

Kozawa's career also took him to Europe, where he played in Latvia and Poland.

In September 2012, he signed with FB Gulbene in the Virslīga, playing for the club until November 2012.

In March 2013, Kozawa moved to Poland, joining Gwardia Koszalin. He consistently played as a right-sided attacker for the club. In May 2014, he achieved a notable feat by scoring a hat-trick in a match against Chemik Police. He remained with Gwardia Koszalin until June 2015.

From July to December 2015, he played for MKS Drawa Drawsko Pomorskie in Poland. Later in his career, from 2019 until his retirement in 2022, he played for MKS Iranka Kamienica, also in Poland.

4. National Team Career

Ryuki Kozawa represented Japan at various youth national team levels, participating in several international tournaments.

He was a member of the U-16 Japan national team in 2003 and 2004. During this period, he played in the Montaigu Tournament, Milk Cup, Toyota International Youth Soccer Tournament, Hokkaido International Youth Soccer Tournament, and the AFC U-17 Championship 2004.

In 2005, he played for the U-17 Japan national team in the Sanix Cup International Youth Soccer Tournament. He also represented the U-17 Tohoku regional team in the 3rd Sendai Cup International Youth Soccer Tournament in the same year.

Kozawa was part of the U-18 Japan national team in 2005 and the U-19 Japan national team in 2006, participating in the 30th SBS Cup International Youth Soccer Tournament.

In 2007, he was called up to the U-20 Japan national team for an expedition to Portugal and the Campos Verdes Tournament U-20.

5. Individual Awards and Honours

Throughout his youth career, Ryuki Kozawa earned several individual accolades for his performances.

  • 2004: Montaigu Tournament Top Scorer
  • 2005: 84th National High School Football Championship Excellent Player Award

6. Retirement

Ryuki Kozawa announced his retirement from professional football on March 5, 2022, via his [https://twitter.com/R19Kozawa/status/1500041364763037703 official Twitter account].

7. Statistics

Club performanceLeagueCupLeague CupTotal
SeasonClubLeagueAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
JapanLeagueEmperor's CupJ.League CupTotal
2006FC TokyoJ1 League30003060
200700000000
2008Gainare TottoriJFL291110-3011
200919600-196
20108100-81
2011Blaublitz Akita20221-223
2017Toyota ShūkyūdanTokai Adult Soccer League Div.13000-30
ThailandLeagueThai FA CupThai League CupTotal
2012Pattaya UnitedThai Premier League--
2016Lampang FCThai Division 1 League81--81
2017Thai League 230--30
LatviaLeagueLatvian CupLeague CupTotal
2012FB GulbeneVirslīga90000090
PolandLeaguePolish CupLeague CupTotal
2012-13Gwardia KoszalinIII liga80--80
2013-14296--296
2014-15287--287
2015-16Drawa Drawsko Pomorskie154--154
IndiaLeagueFederation CupLeague CupTotal
2015-16Mumbai FCI-League143--143
PhilippinesLeagueCupLeague CupTotal
2018JPV Marikina FCPhilippines Football League11--11
Career Total19641303120242