Ao Tanaka posts defiant message after error in Japan defeat as team-mates offer support | OneFootball

Ao Tanaka has delivered a defiant message after Japan’s last-32 exit. In an Instagram post he said he would confront the setback head-on, accepted his own shortcomings and vowed to rise again, while thanking team-mates, staff and supporters.

At 1-1 in Houston, Texas, the 27-year-old won the ball from Endrick on the edge of his area, was immediately dispossessed and, seconds later, Japan conceded what proved decisive. He was consoled at full-time by team-mates and by Manchester United attacker Matheus Cunha.

Tanaka’s emotions have been visible before. After a 1-1 draw at Luton Town late in Leeds’ title-winning Championship season he left the pitch in tears. He has been brutally self-critical on social media and, before the World Cup, admitted a spell on the sidelines had made him consider leaving Elland Road.

Takumi Minamino and Ko Itakura replied to his post with the message, “Just do it.” Hidemasa Morita responded with a phoenix emoji, an image Tanaka has previously used when describing his return from last season’s brief wilderness.

Leeds team-mates Jayden Bogle, Willy Gnonto and Anton Stach liked the post, as did the recently departed Pascal Struijk and Illan Meslier.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk