Leeds United fitness boost as Elland Road favourite plays 20-minute role in dramatic added-time win
The first of five Leeds United stars in action today has enjoyed victory with his country.
Leeds United midfielder Ao Tanaka played 13 minutes plus a large chunk of dramatic added-time as Japan beat Uruguay 3-1 on Thursday.
Tanaka joined up with his Japan teammates earlier this week ahead of three friendlies against South American opposition. Earlier today they welcomed to the Miyagi Stadium a Uruguay side no longer under the management of Marcelo Bielsa, with former striker Diego Forlan now in charge.
Having started Leeds’ last three Premier League games, Tanaka dropped to the bench for his country with brothers Kaishu Sano and Kodai Sano starting together in central midfield. Japan went ahead inside 11 minutes through Southampton’s Kuryu Matsuki.
Marcus Araujo levelled for Uruguay just before half-time with both sides making second-half changes to try and gain an edge. For Japan, that included the introduction of Tanaka for Kaishu Sano in the 77th minute.
And the Leeds man was on the pitch for a dramatic end to the friendly, with Japan scoring twice in added-time to claim victory. First, VfL Wolfsburg forward Kento Shiogai put his side ahead in the 92nd minute before Ayase Ueda made it 3-1 in the sixth minute of time added on.
With seven minutes of added-time played in total, Tanaka got around 20 minutes of action in the first of Japan’s three friendlies. Next up is a meeting with Venezuela on Monday before hosting Ecuador on Thursday October 1 - both games take place late morning UK time.
Tanaka was the first of five Leeds players potentially in action on Thursday. Anton Stach will be hoping to play a part in Jurgen Klopp’s first game as Germany boss against the Netherlands this evening while a trio of Whites stars could be in action for Wales in Portugal.
Under-21s full-back Jayden Lienou could be handed a first international cap on what is his second call up to Craig Bellamy’s squad. Leeds teammates Ethan Ampadu and Daniel James are far more experienced at international level and should both feature in Lisbon.