Four Leeds United players represented the club at the FIFA World Cup this summer. As things stand, only two of them remain with just a few games left to conclude the first knockout round.
Gabriel Gudmundsson and Sweden were easily dispatched by a dominant French side during the week.
The defender played a part in all the games at the competition, despite injury concerns in some of the matches.
Japan and Ao Tanaka were knocked out early in the Round of 32, with Brazil leaving it late to win the tie. It was an evenly matched game between both sides, with Japan having taken the lead.
Brazil equalized, and the match went on with both teams holding on.
Many expected the game to go into extra time, but Gabriel Martinelli latched on to a pass from Bruno Guimaraes in the 95th minute to win the game.
Leeds United concerned for World Cup star
After the final whistle, when the players were exchanging a few words, a conversation caught the eye of many Leeds United fans.
Manchester United forward Matheus Cunha could be seen consoling a visibly shaken Ao Tanaka at full time. The midfielder was dispossessed in the sequence that lead to the winning goal.
He spoke to local media outlet Kyodo News after the match, owning up to the mistake.
“I really felt responsible for us conceding at that stage of the match. I can only wipe out the frustration felt at this World Cup at another World Cup, which is a special stage…I want to develop into a player who can match the world’s top players.”
Tanaka also made a heartfelt post on Instagram days after Japan’s exit.
The Athletic revealed that right after the game, coaches at Leeds United got in touch with the midfielder. And that the player liaison team will work with him following a difficult week in the World Cup.
READ MORE: Leeds United star issues emotional statement after World Cup heartbreak: “I was not good enough”
How the remaining Leeds stars are faring at the World Cup
Out of the four players, only two remain as of Friday’s round of games.
The USA have made it to the Round of 16 after beating Bosnia. Brenden Aaronson continues to be outside the starting lineup, with Mauricio Pochettino only having played him in the final group game against Turkey.
Aaronson will be frustrated with the lack of minutes, but the US side is playing too well at the moment.
Noah Okafor is also in the same boat; he did not play a single minute in the group stage. The winger did get 19 minutes in Switzerland’s Round of 32 win over Algeria on Friday.
A Major Incident? Your command of the English Language is quite appalling.