The Japan national football team secured a 2-1 victory against New Zealand in the Kirin Cup Soccer 2026 final on the 5th, deploying a 4-2-3-1 formation from the opening whistle for the first time in roughly two and a half years, Yahoo!ニュース reported.
Kirin Cup Final Shift to a Four-Man Defensive Line
Manager Hajime Moriyasu opted to move away from the team’s recent primary setup of a 3-4-2-1 formation, handing the starting duties to a four-man backline. While the tactical switch produced a hard-fought win at the tournament final, it also exposed early structural adjustments and coordination hurdles across various pitch zones as players adapted to unfamiliar spacing and passing lanes.
Ritsu Doan Flourishes in an Advanced Central Role
The most visible benefit of the tactical reconfiguration centered on Ritsu Doan. Accustomed to operating as a wingback within the previous 3-4-2-1 structure—where defensive tracking often required him to receive possessions deep in his own half—Doan started on the right side of the second line against New Zealand. He frequently swapped positions with Takefusa Kubo, orchestrating sequences closer to the penalty area through short combinations and diagonal distribution.
Nakano and Ueda Provide Decisive Contributions
Right-back Shuto Nakano made his second start of the series following an appearance against Venezuela, syncing with Doan and Kubo to probe for space along the flank. Nakano’s forward surges contributed directly to the team’s scoring, while his long-throw capabilities offered a distinct alternate attacking method. Up front, striker Ayase Ueda countered the typical isolation of a lone forward by dropping deep at precise moments to collect passes, anchoring the attack and securing a goal that brought his tally to four goals across four matches in the series.
Expanding Options Ahead of the Asian Cup
With only two friendly fixtures remaining in November against Brazil and Paraguay before the Asian Cup opens, the national team faces a tight window to refine its tactical depth. Although the abrupt shift back to a four-man defense introduced visible friction in match management, the formation successfully elevated creative players like substitute Keito Nakamura into advanced attacking zones, validating the setup as a viable alternative for upcoming continental competition.
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