Credit: Imago/Getty

Aheed Abrar

Mon 9 March 2026 12:10, UK

Daniel Farke has been given a reason to give Ao Tanaka an opportunity after Leeds United beat Norwich City in the FA Cup on Sunday.

The Japan international was handed a rare start for the Whites this season as Philippe Clement’s team were knocked out of the cup competition after a 3-0 loss.

Sean Longstaff, Gabriel Gudmundsson and Joel Piroe scored for the West Yorkshire outfit, who have qualified for the quarter-finals for the first time in 23 years.

Farke got the better of Norwich, his former club, despite making several changes to his starting lineup, and the German manager will surely be given food for thought over his team selection for the upcoming matches.

Ao Tanaka stats show why he should start for Leeds United

Tanaka made sure to take his opportunity against Norwich after failing to come off the bench in the last six Premier League matches.

The Japanese midfielder has now equalled the record of the great Mick Jones, the former striker who made 220 appearances for the Whites, reaching 20 wins at Elland Road in the joint-fewest starts.

Tanaka’s Sofascore graphic below highlights a solid performance from the former Fortuna Düsseldorf ace who had a point to prove.

The 27-year-old recorded an 83 per cent passing accuracy as the Whites controlled the tempo of the game.

Farke has had little faith in Tanaka this season, but the German manager tasked the midfielder with defensive responsibilities against Norwich as seen from his heat map.

The Japan international made four interceptions in his 70 minutes on the pitch, won more than half his duels, winning 100 per cent of aerial ones.

Who can Ao Tanaka replace vs Crystal Palace?

Tanaka will surely feel his chance at Leeds now surely beckons ahead of the Crystal Palace fixture in the Premier League on 15 March.

The Japanese ace should be Farke’s go-to option to replace Ilia Gruev at Selhurst Park, with the Bulgaria international not in the best of form.

Farke needs to get points on the board after losing back-to-back matches to Manchester City and Sunderland, and Tanaka’s defensive capabilities will undoubtedly come in handy.

With Premier League survival a clear priority for the West Yorkshire outfit, the German manager has to get things right immediately in LS11.