Japan's 5-4-3 Formation (Making the Impossible, Possible)

5-4-3 formation? Unheard of you say? Technically impossible? (Only 11 players aside states the rules.) Yet, according to Grantland writer Dermot Hunt, the 5-4-3 formation was the key to the Japanese Women's National Team success winning a World Cup trophy in 2011 and a Olympic silver medal in 2012. 

Invented by Japanese head coach Norio Sasaki, the 5-4-3 formation is his solution to a major problem the Japanese face: an enormous height disadvantage. Hunt points out that the Japanese have an average height of 5-foot-4 and that American striker Abby Wambach at 5-foot-11 is 4 inches taller than three of the four Japanese defenders. Japan's 5-foot-4 goalkeeper Miho Fukomoto, is the shortest ever to participate in a major football tournament at that position.

Despite being technically impossible, the 5-4-3 is the best description of the team's tactics to overcome this height discrepancy. The formation works in large part to maximize the "tactical flexibility and extraordinary work rate" of FIFA World Player of the Year Homare Sawa. Hunt describes her "remarkable positional awareness to close down space, prevent crosses, and help her teammates maintain their superb defensive record" and her incredible efficiency on the other end of the pitch. Sawa's 80 international goals in 179 matches is a better goals per game ratio that Lionel Messi.

Hunt goes on to compare Japan's playing style to the tiki-taka play that Spain and FC Barcelona made famous. Similarly used as method to "counter physically dominant opponents".

Read the full article here.