The 2023 World Cup has kicked off, featuring ten days full of fixtures already. Co-hosts New Zealand raised the curtain victoriously against Norway, Brazil brought the fun with a gorgeous team goal before surrendering to France in an end-to-end encounter while Sweden shone on set-pieces.
Asisat Oshoala became the first African woman to score in three separate World Cups, Alexandra Popp hit two trademark headers and there was a treble of premier wins for the Philippines, Portugal and Jamaica. Overall, a stunning eight nations debuted on the global stage. From Haiti and Vietnam qualifying to Morocco making wonderful history as maiden participants from the MENA region. In little time, a lot has happened.
Among all these stories, it is Japan whose football has acquired an acclaim greater than most others. And deservedly so. Nadeshiko have already booked their place in the knockouts after outplaying Zambia and Costa Rica in a duo of dominant affairs. Supremely, the slick and controlled character of those early successes stood out, posing the question of just how good they are.
Two games are too small a sample to determine that, even with prior knowledge of Japan’s setup which was introduced last year and tested at the SheBelieves Cup in February. And admittedly, their wins have come against two of the less well-organized teams at the tournament. However, one can explore the tactical ideas which have seen the side of Futoshi Ikeda sweep through the group stage and spark so much joy.
Tactical Setup
Japan play in a 3–4–3 with a clear structure and clear roles. From the first line, the wide centre-backs are the primary progressors. Saki Kumagai is less line-breaking as the centermost defender but an important relay station for ball circulation. Both midfielders are crucial to create central connections. In possession, they pin opponents, ease from their cover to lay off passes and offer support on the flanks.
In the second line, the wingbacks first hug the touchline while remaining available for the wide defenders. Both wingers arrange themselves in the channels but will drift wide when appropriate. Striker Mina Tanaka initially holds the last line, coming short situationally to provide connective presence between the lines.
Said structure supplies Japan with sufficient width and depth while possessing bodies in the center. As such, Nadeshiko stretch the field and occupy all relevant spaces but simultaneously enjoy vicinities between their players which encourages a plethora of passing and movement options. No one is ever isolated and play is rarely flustered from its flow.
Moreover, a multitude of triangles and diamonds emerges, particularly in the wide areas (watch this space). The diagonality of most passing lanes is advantageous too, given the general upsides of such passes (progressive while receivers face play) and how the 3–4–3 can utilize them to circumvent cover shadows of symmetric defensive structures.
This becomes visible in build-up where the 3+2/3+4 always sees Japan outnumber opposition and circulate patiently with a good rhythm. That way, they can provoke pressure, pull spaces open and progress into them. Costa Rica suffered in their 4–4–2, drawn high by the circulation of the 2011 World Cup winners who exploited those jumps to the fullest.
Japan consciously continued to circulate, forcing Costa Rica to step up further. Their winger had to bridge a long distance to generate access to the free centre-back while the ball-near midfielder would attract her marker with decoy movements to make them leave their line.
Costa Rica lost vertical compactness and Japan diagonally reached the halfspace with a winger free to turn between the lines and run at a decimated defense. From the calm construction, Nadeshiko had deliberately accelerated, converting a static situation into a transitional dynamic.
Japan develop a distinct identity of play from a structure which springs superiorities. Nowhere, this proves as differential as out wide.
Winning on the Wings
Out of possession, practically every team at this World Cup has prioritized to guide play wide and stifle central progression. For Japan, this is not a problem. Infact, they have taken full advantage of it, flying with diamond wings.
The 3–4–3 naturally creates diamond networks on the flanks, fundamentally between a wide centre-back, a wingback, a midfielder and a winger. Owing to that, the wide centre-backs are able to smoothly surpass the space outside of the opposition’s first line and progress towards the wide areas. Along with the ball-near overload, a dilemma originates for defenses.
The wingbacks position themselves between the opposing winger and fullback, preventing easy access and asking questions of who takes who. If aiming to show play wide, the strong-side winger now can’t access the centre-back without isolating or delaying support for her fullback. If the latter then jumps, she opens the interval which Japan’s wingers attack with deep runs in behind. If another centre-back tracks that run in a back four, valuable gaps will appear between the lines and other forwards can set themselves off.
If the fullback stays passive though or is pinned narrow by the winger, she allows the wingback time and space to receive. If the winger supports the fullback deep, zero pressure is put on the centre-back since usually, the midfielders are fixed and the first line is inferior.
In the worst case, this means that Moeka Minami and company can serve the likes of Hinata Miyazawa and Aoba Fujino dismarking into depth. At least, it happened so against Zambia who experienced massive access problems while leaving space behind their last line.
What becomes clear here is how the quantity of connections and advantages empowered by this simple shape gifts Japan a wide-ranging variety of ways to move, combine and enter the final third. Defenders are constantly confused and put into a bind of who or where to cover when the selection of Ikeda opens and attacks spaces to turn its numerical edge into positional and dynamic superiority.
Once Japan play their way past or inbetween, they deliver lofted crosses and thread throughballs into dynamic arrivals of the forwards, one or both midfielders as well as the far-side wingback. The box occupation is usually harmonic, even when outnumbered. Multiple players are available in separate zones and face the goal as they finish.
And just as other teams which have mastered this method, Japan don’t stay strictly in their positions. Rather, they capitalize on the clarity of their concept with combinations and countermovements, stirring a seemingly never-ending spree of solutions. The structural frame fosters a secure form of fluidity which sees players follow the guidelines, form the diamond and exhibit their creativity from there without ever sacrificing order.
In that, the two-time Asian Cup champions intent to combine through on the ball-side. Direct switches are a seldom sight. Instead, Ikeda’s team crave patience, build the box and generate the advantage constructively.
This was apparent against Zambia once the Copper Queens began to cover the wings with their pivot. Japan reacted by using their free centre-backs to circulate around before their opponents could shift over. Nadeshiko use the space they are supposed to be pushed into, play around teams and find a sum of solutions where other sides stagnate into sterile U-circulation.
That way, they create clear breakthroughs and high-quality chances. Right now, their non-penalty xG/shot is the joint-highest in the competition and landed on a sky-high 0.26 versus Zambia. Japan don’t need to force their fortunes, they facilitate them.
Still, it irresistibly occurs that those ball-near overloads pull opponents over and open gaps on the far side. In that event, Japan either access the center through their midfielders or play a short switch into one of the forwards who loosens inbetween the lines.
This will often be Tanaka who can then connect and filter balls to the vacated end where the far-side wingback in particular fills the space dynamically. That mechanism saw Jun Endō score in Japan’s group opener. Equally, it is worth noting how well Miyazawa, Aoba and others complement Tanaka when she drops by going deep and occupying defenders.
As a whole, it is remarkable how harmoniously Japan carry out their system as a collective without over-relying on one side or specific player. Against Zambia, wide combinations were key. Against Costa Rica, a lot went between the lines through the diamonds and central box as Shiori Miyake displayed prime distribution and disguising qualities. In both games, they threatened on each wing and inside, six different players have scored.
It is also interesting how little Japan dribble compared to other possession-based sides. Most of such actions so far belonged to the wingbacks when they released themselves from local pressure. Otherwise, the application of their structure and Japan’s principles have meant that they simply did not need to dribble, other solutions were already there.
However, this should not be misread as a disregard for the individual qualities of this squad. On paper, Japan’s names may not pop as world-renowned superstars but possess superb technical standards, elevated by abundant nuances (body orientation, press-resistance, spatial awareness, off-ball movement, structural feel, contextual understanding etc.) which all ease play.
Especially the brilliant Yui Hasegawa bears a mention. She loosens cleverly from cover, conceives connections, beams with the ball, orchestrates and organizes to make her mark as an ingenious ever-presence that finds solutions for her side.
In general, Japan’s midfielders deserve plaudits. While they may not always be immediately available, their flexibility on and off the ball helps the team function. From providing central presence and ball-near support to linking play and balancing the counterpress.
Clarity and Continuity
The latter has been effective until now and once again, the structure is the source. Due to its clarity and continuity, clean spatial occupation, coordinated movements and proximity of players, Japan possess local advantages and instant access following turnovers. Reorganization as such is rarely required and seems seamless. The ball-nearest player will apply pressure while her teammates track runs, cover close options and shutter passing lanes with their cover shadows.
As alluded to, the midfielders make an enormous effort here to recover loose and second balls. Thanks to the 3–4–3, they possess sufficient cover and access to do so. Japan’s rest-defense appears stable so far which also comes naturally from the structure. Zambia were frequently pushed deep and could not find any near connections, leading to long balls without success. The judiciously feared transition threat of Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji did not come to the fore.
In addition, the wing-based focus of the Japanese attacks allows them to trap teams at the touchline before translating swiftly into the possession shape. Yet, the side coached by Ikeda are actually not bound to regaining the ball as quickly as possible and aren’t all intense either. The primary intention is to prevent progression for opponents. Should that lead to back passes, Japan will form a 5–4–1 mid-block.
From that block, Nadeshiko tolerate circulation until Tanaka initiates the press to guide play to the wing. She is amazing at angling her runs to both cover shadow the pivot and discourage the pass to the other centre-back. That is relevant as the Kobe Leonessa forward acts alone in the first line and the centre-back being able to carry forward could mean trouble.
Once Japan have directed their opponents wide, they shift to the strong side where the winger has access to press the fullback. If rivals react with long balls, the defenders have protection to step up and contest the duel. Usually, the structure for second balls is good too.
Japan don’t pursue permanent possession and don’t overwhelm opponents with incredible intensity. They just play very well when they have the ball and stop the opponent from doing so when they haven’t. As such, Zambia and Costa Rica could record 561 and 585 touches respectively but merely 44 and 34 of those occurred in Japan’s defensive third. This balance may turn out invaluable in the knockouts.
Résumé
Japan have not only begun their World Cup journey with success, they have shown sophistication and style. The structural superiority is brought to life by a group of remarkably intelligent footballers. The players fit the system and the system fits the players. Such synergies are rare enough in international football, made even more impressive by the fact that Japan do not draw on a core of one club. This is simply a very good football team.
Now, the burning question is of course how that looks against greater calibres. Their possession game is magnificent and the wide diamonds are hard to defend for anyone. Nonetheless, a team managing organized access out wide while covering central areas well may do some damage. Perhaps, a back three/five would be intriguing here. Japan are also yet to be pressed intensely and cohesively.
Their defense seems stable, however, better possession players might combat the counterpress. It is also likely that sides such as Spain won’t have as many problems playing through the first line and progressing into dangerous territory. Japan’s deeper defending has looked very solid in its few instances, if they could sustain such phases with enough punch on the counter cannot be said just yet.
Their last group game against Spain promises to be an exciting, high-level matchup. Besides, it will widen the window into Japan’s rank among the very best. In principle, Ikeda’s team has the tools to go very far. On a sanguine note, one can say that, however long Nadeshiko stay in the competition, they are an unbelievably refined and interesting side, lifting this tournament with their diamond wings.
