Daniel Farke will sit up and take notice after what Leeds United gem Ao Tanaka did for Japan
Daniel Farke and the Leeds United faithful will be overjoyed by what Ao Tanaka did for Japan on international duty.
Worries arose after the 26-year-old was named to start in Japan’s latest 2026 World Cup qualifier against Australia on 15 October, but Tanaka came through the full 90 minutes unscathed in a 1-1 draw.
After a bizarre match that saw both sides score own goals in the second half, Tanaka is expected to return to Thorp Arch in time to train prior to the Whites’ match against Sheffield United on 18 October [Yorkshire Evening Post, 15 October].
The sole aim in United circles for Tanaka’s international break was for him to return injury-free, but having achieved that feat, the midfielder’s performance should also come under the microscope.
Ao Tanaka shows exactly what Leeds United need on Japan duty
With the long-term injuries suffered by Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev in recent weeks at Elland Road, Farke has never been more reliant on someone like Tanaka to fill the void in United’s midfield.
However, Tanaka will have imbued plenty of confidence over his ability to control the tempo of a game after his display against Australia, in which he completed 89 per cent of 64 attempted passes [FotMob].
Having 77 touches in total, Tanaka saw five of those come in the Australian box and threaded seven of his 57 passes into the final third, as well as finding a man with 60 per cent of his five long balls.
Likely to play as the deepest midfielder in a double-pivot with Joe Rothwell against the Blades, Tanaka showed plenty of defensive mettle too, with three recoveries of the ball and defensive actions apiece.
That included an interception and two completed tackles from two attempts [FotMob], with the 26-year old winning four of his seven ground duels and only losing possession on one occasion.
Leading into a Yorkshire derby against the side directly above them in the table, the Whites need to be on-song at Elland Road, and Tanaka’s display will have assuaged any doubt that he’s up to the occasion.
In other Leeds news, a 49ers Enterprises colleague has given insight into what fans can expect at a redeveloped Elland Road.
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