Ao Tanaka completed his international break with Japan on Tuesday morning as the Leeds United star completed the entire 90 minutes of a 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia.
In what was largely a dead-rubber after Japan became the first nation to qualify for the 2026 World Cup last week against Bahrain, Tanaka was handed a start in midfield against Liverpool player Wataru Endo.
Following that 2-0 win against Bahrain, Hajime Moriyasu’s side only needed a point to secure top spot in Group C of the Asian World Cup qualifying phase – and they secured that with relative ease in Saitama.
Saudi Arabia offered little-to-no threat under manager Herve Renard, with captain Salem Al-Dawsari the only opposing player to offer any kind of attacking impetus. Tanaka saw out the entire 90 minutes.
What Japan fans are saying about Leeds midfielder Ao Tanaka
A comfortable performance from the £3.4m Leeds signing, as Tanaka completed an impressive 86 of his 91 attempted passes throughout. However, Tanaka was dispossessed twice before recovering the ball.
Japan could not find a way through but Celtic’s Daizen Maeda came closest, lashing an early effort off the post. Takefusa Kubo was their largest threat but was withdrawn on the hour, Kaoru Mitoma was missing.
Japan fans discussed Tanaka’s performance and it was largely a mixed reception for the Leeds star, with some describing his performance as “slow” while others believe he has improved since joining Leeds.
According to @hachi3507ssd, Tanaka has “improved a lot” since joining Leeds and he wonders if the midfielder has been “training hard”. But @chaylattenasi said Tanaka was guilty of “slow judgment”.
It was a largely mixed reaction for Tanaka, with another Japan fan saying Tanaka was “amazing” and he “really liked” his performance (@potato_desudesu). @n0t_pianist said Tanaka is “more reliable” now.
But @midori_green_11 says if Tanaka had been “swapped” then “things might have been different” in a game Japan were expected to win. @ryo_t_0624 said Tanaka was “not looking ahead at all”.
Which other Leeds United players are in action on Tuesday?
That is Tanaka’s last outing for Japan before the end of the season, with Japan not in action until June when they finish their Group C campaign with fixtures against second-placed Australia and Indonesia.
Tuesday is a busy day for Leeds’ internationals. Manor Solomon, Dan James, Joe Rodon, Karl Darlow, Junior Firpo, Sam Chambers, Rory Mahady, Isaac Schmidt, Mateo Joseph and Charlie Crew all play.
Firpo is the last to feature, with The Dominican Republic facing Puerto Rico in a friendly at midnight. But Firpo will be fresh, having not featured in the first of the two friendlies against Puerto Rico last week.
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