** This following publish was written by my youthful brother Lucas Yang, who additionally follows soccer as a lot as me and is trying into following in my footsteps **
No coach in Korean historical past has experimented with formations as a lot as Shin Tae Yong. You can also make a case for Cho Kwang Rae possibly however for him it wasn’t experimenting with formations as a lot as experimenting with gamers in unfamiliar positions. However in response to Shin Tae Yong we’re performed experimenting. He has determined upon two formations – a plan A and a plan B – that he’ll use all through the event. Plus, with such a tiny squad it’s just a little tougher to tug off all of the formations he managed to make use of on the 2016 AFC Championship.
Over the previous eight months, wherein we performed 14 matches, STY has fielded a complete of 5 completely different lineups (on paper a minimum of – whether or not you suppose a 4-3-3 is mainly the identical as a narrower model of a 4-1-4-1 is as much as you, however they positively play in a different way). Only for enjoyable, I wished to see what number of occasions STY has gone with every formation, what number of wins/losses every one led to, and in opposition to what sorts of opponents STY performs them, in an effort to foretell what we are going to see in opposition to Fiji, Germany, and Mexico. I’m not practically nearly as good at this type of stuff as Jae is, however right here’s my tackle the completely different formations we’ve seen to date!
Formation 1: 4-2-3-1
Video games wherein it was used: Iraq, Japan, Algeria-2, Denmark, Sweden
Outcomes: 2W 2D 1L
Earlier than the most recent pleasant in opposition to Sweden, STY boldly claimed “I by no means use a 4-2-3-1.” Lower than a day later he submitted this beginning XI. And I hear it performed very very similar to every other 4-2-3-1.
So I’m not fairly positive what the aim of this was. Possibly it has one thing to do with complicated our opponents (giving Hwang Hee Chan the #5 jersey lol). However assuming that STY isn’t going to remain true to such phrases, evidently this formation might be one of many two that STY will use on the Olympics. One, he’s used it greater than every other formation. Two, it’s been used in opposition to the “most critical” opponents in Japan, Denmark, and the UEFA champions Sweden (albeit solely a fraction of the trophy profitable squad is with the present Sweden squad). Three, he’s used it within the final two open door friendlies, and I say open door as a result of there have been closed door friendlies in opposition to Iraq as nicely.
What works a couple of 4-2-3-1? It’s a barely extra advanced formation that emphasizes midfield flexibility. You get passing triangles all over the place and the 2 #6’s can, relying on the scenario, press like mad, protect the defenders, cowl for fullbacks, or make vertical runs from deep. For Korea this might possible look one thing like SHJ – SHM MCJ KCH – JHS PYW, and I say Jang Hyun Soo as a result of 1) we don’t learn about Lee Chan Dong’s situation and a pair of) STY lately proclaimed that JHS is a midfielder, not a defender.
Who would we use this in opposition to? I’d say it’s a secure guess in opposition to Mexico and Germany, however I may be just a little extra cautious in opposition to Germany. First off, whereas there are profitable examples of beating a 4-2-3-1 with a 4-2-3-1, we’re not on the stage the place we will out-Germany Germany, a crew that may in all probability management the sport with ~60% possession. Towards a full out assault minded crew like Mexico, 4-2-3-1 might be a secure guess,
Formation 2: 4-1-4-1
Video games wherein it was used: Yemen, Nigeria
Outcomes: 2W
A 4-1-4-1 emphasizes flexibility much more than the 4-2-3-1. This one has been a favourite of Uli Stielike and as of late, Pep Guardiola at Bayern. It has additionally been used to implausible impact on the Euros, which this article details very well.
This formation works very nicely when you have a stable midfield “1” like Schweinsteiger or Xabi Alonso. IMO, one of the best participant in Korea who can fulfill that position is Ki Sung Yong, however it is usually true that he’s higher utilized greater up (why can’t we simply have like three KSY’s, one for CB DM and AM?). I’ve seen Jeong Woo Younger and Han Kook Younger in these roles and let me say it doesn’t actually work. I’ve really espoused a KSY – LJS/KCH KJC midfield trio (now with Kim Bo Kyung within the combine) up to now, however alas it has but to occur.
When Shin Tae Yong makes use of this formation, the 1 has at all times been Park Yong Woo and one of many 2 CM’s has at all times been Lee Chang Min. We one way or the other beat Nigeria with this lineup however I’m not fully positive if Park Yong Woo, and even Lee Chan Dong, can maintain his personal in opposition to the likes of Germany or Mexico. I can say with confidence that this can work in opposition to Fiji (any lineup can work in opposition to Fiji, sorry guys), but when I needed to decide one among Germany or Mexico to play a 4-1-4-1 in opposition to, I’d in all probability must say Mexico. It’s because I consider we’ve a superior midfield core to Mexico, however not in opposition to Germany.
Formation 3: 4-4-2 Diamond
Video games: Uzbekistan, Jordan, Honduras*
Outcomes: 2W 1D
*Flat 4-4-2 was employed on paper and in observe. Didn’t go too nicely. Unconvincing draw was the end result.
This was STY’s go-to at one level however he deserted it fairly rapidly seeing that it wasn’t too efficient in the course of the event in Qatar. However he introduced it again in opposition to Honduras lately, making me suppose it may be introduced again within the Olympics – maybe in opposition to Fiji.
A 4-4-2 is kind of a slender 4-4-2 with the 2 midfielders partitioned right into a #10 and a #6. As an alternative of the 2 CM’s sharing defensive / offensive duties you get a delegated AM and designated DM. As an alternative of wingers you get two CM’s which are free to roam however have to be cautious to not go away gaps behind them, which may occur in the event that they drift broad an excessive amount of.
This formation didn’t work within the AFC event as a result of utilizing PYW because the #6 was an excessive amount of for him. Even perhaps Lee Chan Dong alone within the #6 wouldn’t work both. Thus, evidently the final consensus among the many followers is, a 4-4-2 diamond will in all probability solely be used in opposition to Fiji. If it’s shaky in opposition to the likes of Uzbekistan, it’ll certainly be disastrous within the Olympics.
Formation 4: Conventional 4-3-3 with DM
Video games: vs. UAE, Saudi Arabia
Outcomes: 2W
This formation was performed in 2 meaningless pleasant wins manner again in January, and it’s most unlikely to make a comeback on the Olympics. Subsequent!
Formation 5: 3-4-3 / 5-back
Video games: Qatar, Algeria-1
Outcomes: 2W
This one is definitely a really fascinating lineup. It labored surprisingly nicely in opposition to the offensively-studded Qatar, and in addition allowed us to beat a really jetlagged Algerian facet. Each time STY has used it, Park Yong Woo was performed in CB. If used once more, the central CB within the 3-back is nearly sure to be Jang Hyun Soo. And one of many CM’s within the midfield 4 will possible be Lee Chan Dong for the additional defensive cowl (simply as STY used Hwang Ki Wook as a CM in opposition to Qatar). There’s a probability we may even see this in opposition to Germany or Mexico, however I wouldn’t guess on Shin Tae Yong pulling this one out both.
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Hey everybody! I’m Jinseok’s youthful brother Lucas dwelling in Columbus, Ohio and a junior in highschool. Thanks for studying my publish, and hopefully I will contribute extra sooner or later!
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