Leeds United's Ao Tanaka issues defiant message after Japan exit to Brazil | OneFootball

Leeds United midfielder Ao Tanaka issued a defiant message after Japan’s last-32 exit to Brazil, taking responsibility for a decisive mistake and vowing to respond. The player said in a post, “I will face it all head-on”.

In Houston, with the tie at 1-1, Tanaka won the ball from Endrick on the edge of his area, was quickly dispossessed and Brazil struck what proved to be the winner. The 27-year-old was consoled at full-time by team-mates and Manchester United attacker Matheus Cunha.

Tanaka wrote that his own abilities were not good enough, promised to rise again and expressed gratitude to team-mates, staff and supporters.

Takumi Minamino and Ko Itakura replied, “Just do it”. Sporting CP’s Hidemasa Morita posted a phoenix emoji, an image Tanaka has used for himself after returning from last season’s brief wilderness to contribute in the final third of Leeds’ campaign.

Tanaka’s emotion has surfaced before. After a 1-1 draw at Luton Town late in the Championship season he left the pitch in tears amid away-end frustration. Before the World Cup he admitted he had considered leaving Elland Road during a spell out of the side.

Support also arrived from Leeds, with likes on his post from Jayden Bogle, Willy Gnonto and Anton Stach, along with the recently departed Pascal Struijk and Illan Meslier.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk