Occupying the five channels in the opponent's half

A football pitch can be divided into five vertical channels that run from one goal line to the other. These channels are as follows: outside left, inside left, central, inside right and outside right. A number of the teams involved at the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament actively strove to occupy these five channels in the opposition’s half when in possession. To achieve this, these sides set up with what in essence was a front five, with one player occupying each channel. This five-man system afforded teams both a numerical and positional advantage over a four-strong backline and created penetrative passing options during the build-up phase.