Ao Tanaka wows Sky Sports pundit with total perfection in Leeds United win v Sheffield United
Ao Tanaka stunned Andy Hinchcliffe by delivering the “perfect performance” for Leeds United in the win over Sheffield United.
The Sky Sports pundit reacted live on the broadcaster’s match commentary in the dying minutes of the 2-0 win at Elland Road on 18 October, naming the Japanese international the man of the match after a “truly outstanding” game in Daniel Farke’s injury-hit midfield.
With Ethan Amapadu and Ilia Gruev both out long-term the Whites are relying on Tanaka and Joe Rothwell in the centre, pending a possible free agent signing, and Hinchcliffe was delighted by the stand-in pair, but could barely contain himself with Tanaka.
He said (9.56pm): “The two most influential players for me are Joe Rothwell and Tanaka, but he [Tanaka] has been truly outstanding.
“He’s been absolutely everywhere. He’s a versatile player but his reading of what’s needed in that central midfield role was spot on tonight.
“The perfect performance from him really”.
Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell come through for Leeds United
Much of the international break was spent hoping Tanaka, 26, wasn’t hurt on duty with his country but clearly he wasn’t feeling any ill-effects from playing the whole game against Australia on Tuesday (15 October) and a flight back from the other side of the world.
Hinchcliffe might have gone slightly overboard in his praise as there were times when the Deadline Day signing went quiet, and he was played past too easily in the opening minutes.
But on the whole it was certainly an impressive performance from a player who is still relatively new to the squad, in a big game against an unbeaten rival, while getting use to a more defensive role.
There are surely no concerns over his quality on the ball, but the signs that he is adapting positionally out of possession, and his partnership with Bournemouth loanee Rothwell is particularly satisfying for Farke.
Goals from Pascal Struijk and Mateo Joseph took the points against Chris Wilder’s side, who came into the game second in the table but never looked like matching the home side’s intensity.
The Whites went above the Blades with the result, in a game where Largie Ramazani was sparkling in attack throughout.
After the massive disappointment of losing two points at the death against leaders Sunderland before the break thanks to Illan Meslier’s error on 4 October this was the perfect team response.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites were left “really disappointed” as transfer collapses they thought they had wrapped up.
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