This World Cup has not been great to Leeds United and their players. Going into the knockout round of games, there are some serious concerns over playing time.
Fortunately for the club, all four of their representatives have made it to the next round.
Brenden Aaronson and the USA will face Bosnia, Ao Tanaka and Japan will face a tough test in Brazil, Gabriel Gudmundsson and Sweden will be up against France, and Noah Okafor and Switzerland play Algeria.
But it has been a mixed tournament for most of these players.
Gudmundsson continues to be a solid player in the Swedish side, having played in all three games so far. And after being on the bench in the first game, Tanaka has won his place back in the Japan team, playing the full 90 in their last two matches.
Leeds United star breaks silence after World Cup frustration
Other Leeds United players have not really had the chance to show what they can do at this tournament.
Aaronson was an unused substitute and only got his chance to play in the final group game against Turkey when the US had already sealed qualification.
Noah Okafor, who ended this past season in great form, has been an unused substitute in all three games so far. In a recent interview with Swiss media, the winger voiced out his frustration over not playing.
“Of course, I’m a bit annoyed or angry, whatever you want to call it. As a footballer, you’re in the wrong profession if you want to sit on the bench,” he said quotes relayed via Blick.
“I did make one or two mistakes back then [Euro 2024]. But I’ve grown a lot as a person since then. I’m happy with the team’s performance, I’m still giving it my all in training, and I’m waiting for my chance.”
But Okafor did mention that he had spoken to the coach and technical team for clarity.
“I spoke with Muri again this morning. He explained to me why I didn’t come on,”
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This shows how far Noah Okafor has come as a player
The Leeds star has handled all this quite well, considering his past scandals involving the national team.
And since he has joined Leeds United, he looks like he has put all that behind him. Daniel Farke had a lot of positives to say about the winger, whose goalscoring run in April helped seal survival.
He may ultimately get his chance to play at this tournament yet, but so far, he has proven everyone wrong.
