Werder Bremen goalkeeper Backhaus: The Japan Football Association wants to invite me, but I haven’t made a final decision yet

Hupu, October 30th: Werder Bremen goalkeeper Mio Backhaus (21 years old) was interviewed by Bild.

The Japan Football Association is actively seeking to naturalize you. However, you currently play for the German U21 national team. How seriously are you considering changing the national team?

"No decision has been made yet. If I choose Japan, it will be a final decision. As a Japanese international, long-distance travel is a major problem.

It is not easy to fly long distances often and then have to play at a high level for the club a few days later. But I am not worried about it at all. I am very happy to be with the U21 national team now."

What would you do if the head coach of the Japanese national team invited you to participate in the World Cup?

"I will not be tempted. If I feel that this decision is not suitable for me, I will refuse."

Let us turn our attention to Werder Bremen. How wonderful have the past few weeks and months been for you?

"I thought I performed well in the preseason. I was disappointed when I learned that I would still be the number two goalkeeper. But I didn't think about changing clubs."

What is it like to suddenly become the number one goalkeeper?

"It was very turbulent. After Zetti (Michael Zeitler)'s last game at Bielefeld, we played a friendly match against Osnabrück.

I played as goalkeeper and had to focus on my performance. But it became clear very quickly after that: I will be the number one goalkeeper . Then I tried to stay calm and prepare for the game against Frankfurt. We are professionals and this kind of ups and downs is part of the game. But I must admit that I was also nervous at the time."

Was it different working with Kiki Vand (goalkeeper coach, editor's note)? Has mutual trust eroded?

"No, not at all. I've always felt their trust. For me, it's not a decision about me, it's about other people's decisions."