The early hours of Friday morning saw Ao Tanaka and Gabriel Gudmundsson do battle, the only two Leeds United players to actually play at this summer’s World Cup so far.
With the Netherlands beating Tunisia 3-1 at the same time, the clash between Gudmundsson’s Sweden and Tanaka’s Japan was to decide who finished second in Group F. Ao Tanaka was absolutely superb.
£30m: Do you TAKE IT or LEAVE IT for Gabi Gudmundsson? ✅❌
Chelsea have been linked with GG.
Having failed to start Japan’s first game, Tanaka came into the starting XI in Japan’s previous game – a 4-0 win over Tunisia. He impressed in Japan’s big win against Tunisia, and he was excellent against Sweden.
Every blade of grass was covered by a combative Tanaka, who partnered Crystal Palace’s Daichi Kamada in midfield. Gudmundsson at left-back, meanwhile, was solid as the two nations played out a 1-1 draw.
Ao Tanaka the real winner despite draw v Gabriel Gudmundsson
The first half saw the two sides play a tedious 45 minutes. Nervy, with both sides knowing a second-place finish was preferable to third. But the second sparked into life when Celtic’s Daizen Maeda scored.
However, Anthony Elanga equalised soon after, with the Newcastle winger catching Leeds United transfer target Zion Suzuki out with a curling effort. The scoreline remained the same, as Japan secured second.
Sweden have been left in the third-placed group, with eight of 12 nations qualifying. Their four points should be enough to qualify, but Tanaka is certainly the real winner over Gudmundsson despite the draw.
That is because Japan will now play Brazil in the next round. A very good side, but a Brazil team that are far from their previous and historic best. Sweden will now have to face 2022 finalists France in the 32.
Tanaka and Japan, then, certainly preferred a draw on the night as they take on the lesser of two evils in Brazil, over France. Needless to say, however, both Japan and Sweden will be underdogs in those games.
Gudmundsson and Tanaka enjoying the World Cup, Okafor isn’t
Gudmundsson has started all three games and saw out the entire match in the early hours of Friday morning. Tanaka also completed the 90 minutes, with both players very involved for their nations.
Name Leeds United’s three most-important players 1️⃣2️⃣3️⃣
But for Brenden Aaronson and Noah Okafor, not so much. Aaronson has just enjoyed his best season in a Leeds shirt but is yet to play for USA at the World Cup. However, he is starting against Turkey today.
The same goes for Okafor with Switzerland, who was called up despite his off-the-field differences with Swiss manager Murat Yakin. Good news for Leeds though, given Okafor had a few niggling injuries.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
