Ao Tanaka consoled by Man United’s Matheus Cunha after Brazil beat Japan 2-1 | OneFootball

Ao Tanaka was in tears after a late error preceded Brazil’s 2-1 World Cup win over Japan, and Man United’s Matheus Cunha consoled him at full-time.

According to FootballChanell.jp, the midfielder hid his face in his shirt as team-mates offered support, and he may feel responsible, though similar mistakes had occurred before he came on.

Tanaka has impressed at the tournament. He did not start Japan’s opener against the Netherlands, when Crysencio Summerville scored, then he began the next two matches in central midfield.

Deep into stoppage time, with penalties looming, Tanaka had been introduced to stiffen the midfield. On Brazil’s right, his attempted clearance became an underhit pass, Bruno Guimaraes fed Gabriel Martinelli to beat Leeds target Zion Suzuki.

It was not a major error, but Brazil capitalised ruthlessly. Tanaka will now be given an extended break after the World Cup, and he is likely to return a couple of weeks after Leeds begin pre-season.

Source: Leedsunited.news