Ao Tanaka, a Leeds United midfielder, came on as a second-half replacement in Japan’s 7-0 World Cup qualifying victory over China on Thursday (5 September).
The 25-year-old, who joined Elland Road during the summer transfer window, earned his 28th cap for Japan, replacing Liverpool’s Wataru Endo after 71 minutes with the score 4-0.
Coming on to add extra legs to the midfield, Japan scored three more goals against the Chinese, with Junya Ito, Daizen Maeda, and Takefusa Kubo contributing.
The Yorkshire Evening Post responded to the midfielder’s performance, writing [5 September]: “Tanaka produced a near-perfect performance on the ball, completing 28 of his 30 passes.”
He received a 6.5 out of 10 rating from Japanese outlet Football Zone [5 September], writing: “With precise positioning, he thwarts the opponent’s attacks, recovers loose balls, and passes the ball around.”
Ao Tanaka can be successful at Leeds United.
Tanaka’s debut against China was underwhelming, but given his recent lack of playing time, there is no doubt that he is a good midfielder.
Leeds hoped to sign the former Fortuna Dusseldorf star in more than one window, and the Whites have finally got their man after a disappointing transfer summer at Elland Road.
Following the losses of Archie Gray and Glen Kamara, Daniel Farke would have been anxious to add a new midfielder to the club ahead of the 2024-25 season.
Tanaka has the potential to be a vital player for Leeds this season if he breaks into the starting lineup, having earned nearly 30 international appearances for his country and thrived in a great Japan squad.
He also scored at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and with seven goals for Dusseldorf in the 2. Bundesliga last season, the midfielder brings a much-needed attacking threat to Elland Road.
