Leeds United star Ao Tanaka reacts excitedly as Cristiano Ronaldo suffers shock defeat

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Ao Tanaka was one of the stars of the show on Monday night as Leeds United cruised to a 4-0 win over Bristol City, but on Wednesday evening – it was events in Saudi Arabia that caught his eye.

Fresh from being picked in the Championship Team of the Season, Ao Tanaka netted his fifth goal of 24-25. He latched on to a Manor Solomon cross at the back post to score the first of four in the 4-0 victory.

The majority of the Leeds United squad have posted on social media over the last few days, whether it be pictures and videos of the promotion party or pictures after the win over Stoke, after more celebrations.

But for Tanaka, developments in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday caught his attention. Kawasaki Frontale, a J-League side, was Tanaka’s boyhood club from aged nine right through to 94 games in the senior side.

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Ao Tanaka’s boyhood club beat Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr

It has been a poor start to the Japanese season for Kawasaki Frontale, having won just four of their 12 league games. They sit in ninth position following that run of form, but it’s a different story in Asia.

In Asia’s version of the Champions League, the AFC Champions League, Frontale came up against Al Nassr on Wednesday evening. A team that boasts Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane and Marcelo Brozovic.

In the semi-final of the competition, Frontale took on Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia and survived a Mane goal and two Al Nassr efforts in total – to win 3-2. An enormous win that sees Frontale reach the final.

Ao Tanaka reacts to Kawasaki Frontale’s win over Al Nassr

Clearly, the Japanese side remain close to Tanaka’s heart. A supporter of the club, with Tanaka still aware of his first club’s games, he reacted to the shock win over Ronaldo, Mane, Aymeric Laporte and Brozovic.

The Leeds midfielder took to his Instagram story and posted a three-word message, telling supporters “what a performance”. Al Nassr did peg Kawasaki back, but their second came in the last few minutes.

Frontale will now take on an Al-Ahli side that boasts Roberto Firmino, Ivan Toney, Riyad Mahrez, Merih Demiral, Franck Kessie and a recognisable name to Leeds supporters – in the form of Gjanni Alioski.