As a Chicago-born basketball data analyst who’s spent five years translating NBA tactics into global football insights, I’ve watched this Japan-China clash with the same precision I’d use for a playoff matchup. Japan’s structured 4-3-3 system outworks China’s rigid 5-4-1 defense—not by luck, but by execution. Past history screams: 7-0 thrashings, but 2022’s draw shows cracks in the armor. This isn’t about emotion—it’s about spacing, transitions, and who controls the midfield. Here’s what the numbers don’t lie about.