Why Leeds United will be getting a fired up Ao Tanaka as midfielder admits to being 'angry'

Ao Tanaka has opened up on the personal anger he feels after Japan's World Cup elimination - and it could be a positive for Leeds United.

The central midfielder was a second-half substitute in Brazil's late 2-1 loss to Brazil in Monday's last-32 tie in Houston.

Tanaka was introduced with the scores level at 1-1, but he gave away possession in the lead up to Gabriel Martinelli's 95th-minute winner.

He was emotional at full-time and had to be consoled by players from Japan and Brazil.

The 27-year-old will now belatedly begin his summer break, before returning to pre-season action with Leeds later this month.

And Tanaka feels he now has a point to prove after his mishap in FIFA's global showpiece event.

Ao Tanaka not comforted by teammates' comments

Tanaka is a real fan favourite at Elland Road, having more than played his part in promotion to the Premier League.

The former Fortuna Dusseldorf ace started just 12 league games last season.

And he only started two of Japan's four matches at the World Cup, not coming on at all against the Netherlands.

It was his error against Brazil that will be the abiding memory of his tournament, and Tanaka is certainly feeling the pain.

"I've been constantly feeling a sense of frustration and regret," he told the media in his homeland. "I imagine these feelings will keep coming back to me.

"Put simply, I just wasn't good enough. I realised that I need to do more -that I lacked the necessary ability.

"It doesn't make me happy to hear [teammates] say it wasn't my fault. I’m incredibly angry with myself, and I feel a deep sense of responsibility. I need to further improve my individual abilities."

It seems like there is no consoling Tanaka right now, but Daniel Farke will no doubt be able to get the best out of him.

The next stage in Tanaka revolution under Daniel Farke

Tanaka made a mistake, but he is being unnecessarily harsh on himself with his comments.

That is not to say there is not still room for improvement, which Farke will be eager to unlock next season - assuming Tanaka sticks around.

Farke regularly talks about the need for balance and control in the middle of the park, which Tanaka can very much offer.

Tanaka can also cause danger when given licence to get further forward, though, so utilising him as a pure box-to-box midfielder could pay dividends.

While it is true he did not enjoy the best of World Cups, Tanaka will now no doubt be fired up to prove himself again when club action resumes.