Kashiwa Football Formation

Starting Lineup

11. IKEBAYASHI
9. ARAKI
15. HINO
7. AKIYAMA
23. TSUGIYAMA
10. WATANABE (C)
14. MIYAGI
4. YAGIRI
12. H.MATSUSEN
13. T.MATSUSEN
1. SHIRAISHI

Kashiwa look to play a high press and quick transition style within a 5-2-3 formation. This lineup is built to squeeze the pitch and use verticality to catch opponents out of position. By playing with a heavy front three, the team aims to win it back high up the pitch and move the ball forward with speed.

SHIRAISHI stays between the posts to organize the defense. The unit operates with a back five that can shift into a more aggressive stance. WATANABE (C) leads the defensive line from the right side of the central trio, acting as a vocal leader to keep the line together. MIYAGI sits on the left of the central three to provide cover, while YAGIRI occupies the central spot to win the second ball. On the flanks, H.MATSUSEN acts as an attacking wing back on the right to provide width, while T.MATSUSEN plays as an attacking wing back on the left to support the attack.

The midfield relies on a double pivot to control the center of the pitch. HINO operates as a left sided midfielder who looks to connect the defensive and attacking lines. IKEBAYASHI works alongside him on the right to shield the defense and intercept passes. These two must cover a lot of ground to ensure the team is not exposed when the wing backs push forward. They act as the engine, recycling possession and looking to play through the lines to reach the forwards.

Kashiwa utilizes three attackers across the front to stretch the opposition. ARAKI acts as a pressing centre forward to pin the last defender and harass the goalkeeper. On the wings, AKIYAMA plays as an inverted winger on the left to cut inside and create chances. TSUGIYAMA operates on the right to provide width and deliver crosses. The front three work in combination to create runs in behind or to pull defenders out of position, allowing for quick combinations in the final third.

A major advantage for Kashiwa is the ability to create wide overloads through the movement of H.MATSUSEN and T.MATSUSEN. When they overlap the wingers, it forces the opposition to defend a lot of space. The formation also provides compactness when defending, as the five defenders and two midfielders can easily drop into a low block if needed. This makes the team very difficult to break down in central areas.

The 5-2-3 formation offers Kashiwa a way to balance defensive solidity with a lethal attacking presence. This setup is best suited for facing teams that play with a high defensive line or those that struggle to handle heavy pressure in their own half.