Leeds United's Ao Tanaka vows to 'rise again' after Japan World Cup exit | OneFootball

Ao Tanaka has delivered a defiant response after Japan’s last-32 World Cup exit, accepting blame for Brazil’s winner and promising to rebound. The player said in a post that he would confront the mistake, admitted his level was not good enough, and vowed to rise again while thanking team-mates, staff and supporters.

In Houston, with the knockout tie at 1-1, the Leeds United midfielder won the ball from Endrick near his own area, then was dispossessed and, moments later, Japan were behind. The 27-year-old bent double at full-time as the reality of the defeat sank in.

Tanaka had to be consoled by team-mates and by Manchester United attacker Matheus Cunha, who put rivalry aside to embrace him. The scene underlined the depth of his disappointment.

The Japan international has long worn his heart on his sleeve. After a 1-1 draw at Luton Town late in Leeds’ title-winning Championship season he left the pitch in tears, and before the World Cup he admitted a spell on the sidelines had made him consider leaving Elland Road.

Support quickly arrived online. Countrymen Takumi Minamino and Ko Itakura offered encouragement, and Hidemasa Morita posted a phoenix emoji, a symbol Tanaka has previously used when discussing his late-season return to the Leeds side.

Leeds colleagues past and present also acknowledged the post, adding their approval on social media.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk