Ao Tanaka issued a defiant Instagram message after Japan’s World Cup last-32 defeat by Brazil, accepting blame for the decisive error. The Leeds United midfielder said in a post that he would face it all head-on and added, “I will rise again.”
Japan were level at 1-1 in Houston, Texas, when the 27-year-old won the ball on the edge of his own area from Endrick, was swiftly dispossessed and, seconds later, Brazil scored the winner. Team-mates and Manchester United attacker Matheus Cunha consoled Tanaka at full-time.
His message also read, “It was simply that my own abilities weren’t good enough,” alongside thanks to team-mates, staff and supporters.
Takumi Minamino and Ko Itakura sent brief encouragement in reply, while Hidemasa Morita posted a phoenix emoji. Tanaka has previously likened himself to a phoenix when reflecting on last season’s return to the side. Leeds team-mates Jayden Bogle, Willy Gnonto and Anton Stach liked the post, as did the recently departed Pascal Struijk and Illan Meslier.
Tanaka’s raw emotion has surfaced for Leeds before, notably tears after a 1-1 draw at Luton Town late in the club’s title-winning Championship season amid anger from the away end. He has been publicly self-critical and, in a pre-World Cup interview, said he had considered leaving Elland Road after a spell out last season.