Shonan Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Tatsunari Nagai · Kim Min Tae (South Korea) · Koki Tachi · Naoya Takahashi · Ze Ricardo (Brazil) · Taiyo Hiraoka · Yuto Suzuki · Taiga Hata · Luiz Phellype (Brazil) · Akito Suzuki (captain) · Junnosuke Suzuki

Shonan focuses on playing a direct and vertical style of football using a 3-5-2 formation. This lineup is built to hit teams on the break and win second balls in the middle of the pitch. The team aims to use the extra bodies in central areas to dominate transitions and move the ball forward quickly.

Tatsunari Nagai stays between the posts to command the area. The back line functions as a back three with Naoya Takahashi acting as the central defender to anchor the unit. Kim Min Tae occupies the left side of the trio while Koki Tachi plays on the right. These defenders work to hold a line and cover space when the midfield gets bypassed. The unit works to stay compact and protect the central zone to deny runners through the middle.

The midfield relies on a central core to control the tempo. Ze Ricardo and Junnosuke Suzuki act as a double pivot to shield the defense and win possession. Yuto Suzuki and Taiga Hata play as two central midfielders who drive the ball forward and connect the defensive lines to the attack. Taiyo Hiraoka operates as an attacking ten in the hole to create chances. This group works to compress the midfield and press opponents to win the ball high up the pitch for Shonan.

Up front, the team uses two forwards in a partnership. Luiz Phellype and Akito Suzuki lead the line to pin the last defender and push the opposition back. They combine to play in tight spaces and look for runs in behind the defense. When the team wins the ball, the wingers or wide midfielders push high to provide width while the two strikers prepare to receive the ball and hold it up. This creates many opportunities for cutbacks and quick combinations.

One major advantage for Shonan is the numerical superiority in midfield which allows them to dominate the central zone. They can also use their aggressive pressing to trigger a press in waves and win the ball in dangerous areas. The ability to shift between a mid-block and a high press makes them difficult to play through.

This 3-5-2 formation is designed for a team that wants to control the center and strike with pace. It is best suited for matches against opponents who play a high line and leave space behind their defenders.