Video Review
Pressing Concepts in 4-4-2

U17 US MNT v JAPAN (1st H), 3-19-17
Note that all clips will play consecutively as one video.

KEY TRENDS:

• Japan keeps two forwards 10/9 close enough together to make tight space for US 6. While the line of confrontation (LOC) varies, it's typically high enough to discourage the US 6 from dropping in, effectively making the US GK 1the key negative support player for US 4 and 5.
• Quick shifts of Japan defenders units to side
• Angled approach of Japan forwards 10 & 9 at respective US 4 & 5 so as to limit vision inside to 6 and invite pass to 2/3 (fullbacks wide) or long
• Japan outside MFs 7/11 close aggressively squeeze US fullbacks 2/3 
• Japan CMs 8 & 6 keep connected/compressed with two forwards and come from behind quickly to close on 6 when he's close or when US 10/8 rotate into what amounts to a defensive box "trap" between the forwards LOC at 25-30 yards. They try to prevent turn and force neg pass.
• Japan is inviting US to play long balls and disrupting their rhythm.
• Japan has success due to execution described above and lack of timed movement into good angles from US 6, shallow positions of US 2 & 3 combined with lack of angled support into wide slots by 11/7 or 10/8 rotation in order to break this line, and overall lack of patience in switching play quickly with good pass/receive technique.

• NEG @1.45 (1 to 5 to 1 to 4 to 6 to ball up right line toward 7 but lost). Key Issues: Weight of pass, angles of support, and timing of movement of 6.
• CLIP 2 - NEG @4.00 ( 1 rolls to 4 to 2 who knocks on a ball to 8 that creates 50/50. Fortunately won by a checking back 11 and who hits 8 on overlap long, which creates penetration for US) Key Issues: Team shape not established before keeper played out. Not enough width from 2. Poor position of 6 who failed to get between the lines and on a good passing line.
• CLIP 3 - NEG @ 4.45 (5 back to 1 to 4 to 1 to 4 but poorly hit and taken by 3 who sends ball long for 50/50 won by Japan at midfield) Key Issues: 6 hiding on bad passing lines. No rotation of 10 and 8. Lack of depth wide from 3. Poor pass from 1/GK.
• CLIP 4 NEG TO POS @ 5.45 (negative throw in from 3 to 4 to 2 who takes poor first touch and knocks back to 4. Played to 1 and switched to 5 to 3 who squares to 6 arriving between pressure and turns and plays long wide to 11). Good use of support behind, switch, time movement of 6, 1-2 and dribble out into space.
• CLIP 5 - NEG END POS @14.05 (long ball over top collected by US 1. Japan line of confrontation dropped to 35 yards. 1 to 5 to 4 to 2...bad touch back to 4 who one-times ball in air toward 8 where it’s won by Japan and starts short-lived Japan counter attack. Ball gets to other side and 5 who eventually dribbles out to start attack). Key Issues: Slightly narrow between 4 and 5. Poor weight of pass from 4 and receive technique from 2. Failure of 8 to shape run wide and ask for ball down line.
• CLIP 6 - POS @15.19 (pass back to 1...long flighted ball to 2 who heads on to 7 who shields and is fouled). Good job by GK 1 to reach farthest possible player safely.
• CLIP 7 - NEG @18.21 (1 saved and walked ball out to top box and rolled to 4 while 6, 8, 10 are still quite low. 2 comes short and is picked up so 4 knocks ball long with no runner and Japan reagins possession) Key Issues: Urgency of shape to build up. All players come short, non one on back shoulder.

• CLIP 8 - NEG @21.30 (GK save rolled out to 5 who dribbles forward and plays central to 6 who is under immediate pressure….pass square wide to 3 (now 3v3), who plays back to 5 back to 1. 4 drops very deep and wide and 1 kicks long and right and out of play near midfield.​
• CLIP 9 - POS @23.41 (5 back to 1 to 4 to 1 to 5 to 6 who reads opportunity to support deep and comes back between center backs. 6 then plays long toward 10 who is running with 11 and 7 into space that 9 created by coming short). Good recognition by 6 of space behind forwards, facilitating quick switch between US 4 and 5.
• CLIP 10 - NEG @26.06 (3 plays back to 1 to 4 who plays to 2 who finds 10 who has come in on a rotation. They play 1-2 (10 back to 2 who tries to slot 7 but he fouls) Key Issues: 10 good rotation not matched between 8 and 10 who are static and not exploiting space higher up the pitch.
• CLIP 11 - POS @38.47 (Japan returns to high line, GK goal kick to 4 to 2 who plays 1-2 with checking 10 (as 6 drops low) and breaks out, carry on the dribble to release 7 down the line for cross). Good rotation in by 10 and recognition by 2 of combination 1-2 to break line.
• CLIP 12 - NEG @40.46 (GK (1) save...waves players out. Plays to 4 who plays back to 1 and Japan moves up...ball over to 5 and 3 comes short. 5 has no outlet and tries to play tight ball on line to 7 that is intercepted by Japan 2, and then Japan plays forward into dangerous space.) Key Issues: Starting positions. Late movement of 6 to support 4. 3 kills space. Long pass required in that situation. Poor decision by 5.
• CLIP 13 - NEG @44.28 (GK (1) goal kick to 5 back to 1 back to 5 to 3 who plays central to showing 6 who has immediate pressure, tries to turn and loses ball after being surrounded by several Japan players. Turnover eventually leads to dangerous Japan shot. Key Issues: Starting positions. Late movement of 6 to support 4. 3 kills space. Long pass required in that situation. Poor decision by 5.