Heartbreak for Japan and Tanaka
Leeds United midfielder Ao Tanaka experienced a difficult conclusion to his World Cup campaign, ending in tears after Japan‘s defeat to Brazil. Despite having impressed in earlier group stage matches against Tunisia and Sweden, Tanaka began Monday evening’s last 32 fixture against Brazil on the bench. He was introduced into the game with 12 minutes remaining, at a point when the score was level at 1-1.
Japan had initially taken the lead just before the half-hour mark through Kaishu Sano‘s strike. However, Brazil equalised in the 56th minute with a goal from Casemiro. The match appeared to be heading for extra time until a dramatic turn of events in the 95th minute.
Tanaka lost possession of the ball on the edge of his own box, an error that proved costly for Japan. Brazil capitalised on this, working the ball to Gabriel Martinelli, who secured a 2-1 victory for his team and passage to the last 16. Following the final whistle, Tanaka was visibly distraught and in tears.
Cunha’s gesture of sportsmanship
Amidst Japan’s heartbreak, Manchester United striker Matheus Cunha displayed a moment of sportsmanship. Cunha, who was part of the victorious Brazil squad, approached Tanaka after the match to offer comfort. He was seen consoling Tanaka with hugs and words of advice, stepping away from his own team’s celebrations to do so. This gesture was noted as a moment of class from Cunha.
Brazil’s victory saw them progress to the Round of 16. They had come from behind to beat Japan in Houston, with Martinelli’s goal being a crucial late winner. Cunha had been named in Brazil’s starting eleven for a third consecutive game before being substituted in the second half.
Stephen Warnock, a former Liverpool and England defender, commented on Tanaka’s mistake, noting that Japan had defended well throughout the game. He highlighted that Bruno Guimaraes‘s ball split the defenders, allowing Martinelli to finish clinically. Warnock described it as a moment of brilliance from Brazil at a critical juncture of the game.
Other World Cup exits
The World Cup also saw other players with connections to Leeds face disappointment. Former Leeds player Crysencio Summerville experienced heartbreak as his Netherlands side exited the competition. The Netherlands lost 3-2 to Morocco on spot kicks after their match ended in a 1-1 draw, with Summerville missing a penalty.
Morocco is now set to play Canada, managed by former Leeds boss Jesse Marsch, in the last 16. Brazil will advance to play the winners of the last 32 clash between Norway and the Ivory Coast. Additionally, Germany, a team for which Leeds star Anton Stach was not selected, was also eliminated from the tournament on penalties after a 1-1 draw against Paraguay.
Tanaka, who is 27 years old, had started the tournament on the bench before featuring in Japan’s last two World Cup games. He had also begun the 2022 World Cup as a reserve player before earning a starting position after the opening fixture. Prior to his move to Leeds, Tanaka played for Fortuna Dusseldorf in the Bundesliga between 2021 and 2024. Cunha, also 27, spent time in Germany from 2018 to 2023 before his move to Wolves.
Martinelli expressed his delight at helping Brazil secure their spot in the last 16, stating that the moment represented a great deal to him and his family. Brazil has not appeared in a World Cup final since 2002. Japan had previously been eliminated in the 2022 Round of 16 by Croatia on penalties and in the 2018 last-16 by Belgium due to a stoppage-time winner.
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Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk
