Two Changes in Third Moriyasu Japan: New Weapons from Shunsuke and the Four-Back System

In the press conference announcing the 31-man squad for the September and October matches, coach Hajime Moriyasu did not just talk about continuity. He introduced two "changes" – but those in the know understand that only one of them is truly a structural surgery. The switch to a four-back system is an intervention in every phase of play, while the swap of coaching roles only affects set-piece situations. Every tactical change is a surgery – outsiders see the formation, insiders see the passing lanes.

This is the third Moriyasu era, the post-2026 World Cup period, extending to the next Asian Cup. The "continuity" philosophy is evident in retaining 20 World Cup members and adding 11 new faces. This 31-man squad will enter four matches against Uruguay, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama/New Zealand – a schedule designed with a difficulty curve, allowing Moriyasu to test the four-back system without maximum risk. The ultimate goal is to "reach the top of Asia."

Asymmetry between the two changes

Tactical analysis shows these two changes are not equal in importance. Adopting a four-back system is a structural change, affecting every phase of the game. Meanwhile, appointing Shunsuke Nakamura as set-piece coach is a functional change, impacting only dead-ball situations. The original FOOTBALL ZONE article presents them as parallel, but structurally, formation flexibility is the more consequential one.

The four-back system is framed as a situational option ("depending on the situation"), not a wholesale switch. This suggests an in-game reactive lever, consistent with a "continuity" policy that keeps the back-three as the anchor. The Asian pitch is a mirror: football doesn't die, but those who fake tactical strength are exposed. In the Asian Cup, Japan often faces low-block opponents, requiring width – an advantage of the four-back system. But they also meet top-tier sides, where the back-three provides solidity.

Shunsuke's free-kick school

Turning Shunsuke Nakamura into a dedicated set-piece attack coach is a deliberate attempt to convert a traditional weakness of Japanese football – the inability to break down compact defenses – into a weapon. Nakamura is a free-kick master, and his "free-kick school" is expected to upgrade set pieces. However, there is a risk of conflating "great free-kick taker" with "great set-piece coach." Individual technique does not automatically translate into organizational design – including routine-building and opponent scouting.

Furthermore, Makoto Hasebe taking over as defensive coach, replacing Saito, signals a shift toward build-up phase defending. Hasebe's career profile – a deep-lying organizer, a hybrid center-back – suggests defensive coaching will emphasize structure and distribution from the back, rather than pure man-marking. This is a notable tactical signal.

Contrarian angle: The trap of continuity

Trust me, tactical stability is the only thing in football that cannot be bought with declarations – the rest is just smoke. The word "continuity" is a double-edged sword. It stabilizes the project – retaining 20 World Cup members – but also means there is no room for a "transition season" excuse. This experienced squad is expected to deliver results immediately. The upcoming four matches are essentially an audition window for the two changes. The success or failure of the four-back system and the free-kick school will determine whether Moriyasu is criticized as "continuity but stagnation."

Another blind spot: JFA's commercial strategy. The "Partnership Project for DREAM" promotes the goal of World Cup victory and attracts sponsors before on-field results occur. This creates a reputational dependency: the commercial story is only sustainable if the sporting project succeeds. Invisible pressure weighs on Moriyasu and his staff.

Additionally, the presence of European-based players creates club-versus-country friction. The September-October block collides with the early European club calendar, increasing fatigue and availability risks.

Impact on the future

The mention of Go Oiwa as a potential successor – with his U-21 side playing a 4-3-3 – shows a deliberate stylistic handover path. The senior four-back system may be a bridge toward the successor's system. Rebuilding Japan is not about going back – it's about re-reading the entire tactical map and redrawing what is outdated. Japan is at the top of Asia, and their advantage lies in European squad depth. Retaining 20 and adding 11 reflects a "protect the base, test the periphery" approach.

When the September-October block concludes, we will know whether these two "changes" are real weapons or just a new coat of paint on an old machine.