Leeds United’s Ao Tanaka vows to rise after Japan’s World Cup heartbreak | OneFootball

Ao Tanaka issued a defiant Instagram message after Japan’s World Cup last-32 defeat by Brazil, saying in a post, 'I will face it all head-on'.

The knockout tie in Houston, Texas was 1-1 when Tanaka took the ball from Endrick on the edge of his area, lost it moments later and Japan conceded Brazil’s winner. The 27-year-old was consoled at full-time by team-mates and Manchester United attacker Matheus Cunha.

In it he accepted responsibility for the error, said his own level was not good enough and vowed to rise again. He also thanked his team-mates, staff and supporters.

Countrymen Takumi Minamino and Ko Itakura replied, 'Just do it.' Hidemasa Morita responded with a phoenix emoji. Tanaka has previously used that image when discussing his return from a brief spell in the wilderness to feature in the final third of Leeds’ season.

The midfielder’s emotion has surfaced before. After a 1-1 draw at Luton Town late in Leeds’ title-winning Championship campaign he left the pitch in tears, and in a pre-World Cup interview he admitted he had considered leaving Elland Road during a spell on the sidelines last season.

Support from Leeds has been visible too, with Jayden Bogle, Willy Gnonto and Anton Stach among those liking it, along with the recently departed Pascal Struijk and Illan Meslier.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk