Leeds United midfielder Ao Tanaka was in action for Japan on Tuesday morning having helped them qualify for the 2026 World Cup last week, the first country to do so.
Last week, Tanaka came on at half-time against Bahrain and helped Japan secure a comfortable 2-0 win to book their place at next summer’s tournament which will take place in United States, Canada and Mexico.
Leeds United and Daniel Farke will have been watching nervously as Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu named Tanaka in his starting line-up to face Saudi Arabia on Tuesday morning at the Saitama Stadium.
Indeed, Leeds have seen five of their 16 players on international duty find the back of the net but Willy Gnonto has returned to Elland Road early, having suffered an ankle injury while with Italy’s U21 side.
How Ao Tanaka got on as he lasts entire 90 minutes for Japan
Having already qualified, the tempo was slow and Japan failed to find the back of the net against a side managed by tournament icon Herve Renard. The score remained 0-0, with Tanaka playing 90 minutes.
Despite playing the second half against Saudi Arabia, Tanaka actually played the whole game against Saudi Arabia with Liverpool’s Wataru Endo going off before him. But it was a bore draw, ending 0-0.
Japan came closest to scoring inside the first 10 minutes when Celtic’s Daizen Maeda was played through on goal, only to see his curling shot cannon back off the inside of the post and bounce to safety.
Ao Tanaka’s stats in Japan draw with Saudi Arabia on Tuesday
Japan had already booked their place at next summer’s World Cup but only needed a point to confirm their place at the top of the group ahead of Australia. They move to 20 points, ahead of The Aussies.
At the time of writing, Australia were leading China 2-0 but even their win was not enough to stop Japan from winning the group. They sit seven points behind Moriyasu’s men with two group games to play.
Ao Tanaka’s stats for Japan in Saudi Arabia draw:
- 90 minutes played, 7.7 FotMob rating (fourth-best)
- Dispossessed twice, 103 touches (third-most)
- 86 successful passes, 95 attempted
- 18 passes into final third, five successful long balls (out of eight)
- Five defensive actions, three tackles won (100%)
- Five duels won, five duels lost
The good news for Leeds is that Tanaka looks as though he has come through the international break unscathed, albeit tired. A quick turnaround required for the Japan star, with Swansea next on Saturday.
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