Ao Tanaka was voted Hisense Player of the Match following Leeds United’s impressive FA Cup quarter-final victory over West Ham United. The midfielder earned 34% of the supporter vote.
Tanaka’s Decisive Goal
The 27-year-old midfielder delivered a standout display at the heart of the action, producing both a decisive moment and a tireless all-round performance across his 69 minutes on the pitch.
Ao Tanaka opened the scoring in style, setting Leeds on their way in a composed and clinical fashion. Receiving the ball centrally after a sharp attacking move, he shifted it out of his feet with a clever turn to escape pressure before driving a powerful left-footed strike goalwards. A slight deflection helped the effort on its way, as it cannoned in off the underside of the crossbar beyond the reach of the goalkeeper.
Dominating the Midfield
Tanaka’s influence extended far beyond his goal. He recorded 60 touches and completed 41 passes with an impressive 91% accuracy, helping Leeds dictate the tempo throughout his time on the field.
Carrying the ball with intent, he made 15 progressive runs, covering a total distance of 100.6 metres, while also contributing significantly out of possession. The midfielder won three tackles, made two interceptions and completed five recoveries, underlining his defensive awareness and work rate.
In duels, Tanaka proved equally effective, winning five battles as he combined technical quality with physical resilience in midfield.
Supporters Recognise Tanaka’s Impact
The supporters’ vote reflected his impact. Lucas Perri finished second on 27%, followed by Pascal Struijk on 17% and Jaka Bijol on 9%.