Leeds United midfielder Ao Tanaka

Leeds United ace Ao Tanaka dazzles as media react to Japan display v China

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

Published on:

05 Sep 2024, 12:10 pm

Leeds United midfielder Ao Tanaka was a second-half substitute as Japan blew China out of the water in a 7-0 World Cup qualifying victory on Thursday (5 September).

The 25-year-old, who arrived at Elland Road during the summer transfer window, gained his 28th cap for Japan, replacing Liverpool's Wataru Endo after 71 minutes with the score at 4-0.

Coming on to add more legs to midfield, Japan went on to score three more goals against the Chinese, with Junya Ito, Daizen Maeda and Takefusa Kubo adding to the scoreline.

Reacting to the midfielder's performance, the Yorkshire Evening Post wrote [5 September]: "Tanaka produced a near-perfect performance on the ball, completing 28 of his 30 passes."

Japanese outlet Football Zone awarded him a 6.5 ranking out of 10 [5 September], writing: "With precise positioning, he thwarts the opponent’s attacks, recovers loose balls, and passes the ball around.”

Ao Tanaka can be a success at Leeds United

While Tanaka was given a subdued cameo against China, given his lack of game time recently, there is no doubt that he is a talented midfielder.

This is not the first window that Leeds wanted to sign the former Fortuna Dusseldorf star, and the Whites have finally got their man after a relatively poor transfer period at Elland Road.

Following the departures of Archie Gray and Glen Kamara, Daniel Farke would have been desperate to bring in a new midfielder into the squad ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

Japanese midfielder Ao Tanaka

Tanaka has the ability to be a key man for Leeds this season, once he breaks into the starting XI, having made nearly 30 international appearances for his nation and thriving in a talented Japan side.

He also scored at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and in addition to his seven goals for Dusseldorf in 2. Bundesliga last season, the midfielder can some much-needed attacking threat to Elland Road.

In other Leeds United news, the Whites were close to PSR limits as a "crucial" transfer update drops at Elland Road.

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