Leeds United secured a significant 2-0 victory against Millwall on March 12, 2025, with Ayaka Tanaka scoring her fourth goal of the season, showcasing her remarkable skill.
Tanaka, the 26-year-old Japanese midfielder, switched the game’s pace with her powerful performance as Leeds desperately needed the win to maintain their position in the promotion race. With the match still hanging at 1-0, Tanaka came to the forefront late in the second half.
Leeds initially took the lead within the first three minutes of the match after Manolo Salomon's shot led to an own goal by Millwall, giving the home side the excitement they needed to project confidence. Up 1-0, Leeds aimed to hold off Millwall, but they knew they needed more firepower to secure points.
Then, at the 85-minute mark, Junior Firpo made his way deep inside Millwall's penalty area and made the perfect cutback to Tanaka. The moment was decisive. Tanaka effortlessly collected the ball and launched it with her right foot, landing it beautifully in the upper left corner of the net.
"This goal was not just significant; it was beautifully executed," comments noted broadcaster coverage after the match, reflecting the enthusiasm surrounding her performance. Tanaka's timely strike sealed the win and brought her tally to four goals for the season, reinforcing her status as one of the key players for Leeds.
The local media did not hold back their praise for the young midfielder. MOT Leeds News highlighted her performance by awarding her 9 out of 10 points and naming her Man of the Match. They said, "Tanaka was the standout player under coach Falque, not hesitating to engage with the ball, showcasing both defensive and offensive prowess. Her contributions were deserving of the late goal.”
Similarly, the Yorkshire Evening Post provided her with the highest team score of 8 points, appreciating her calmness and effectiveness, especially stating, "She was far more impressive compared to the previous match and needed to be. From the start, she showed poise, and as the match wore on, she became more dangerous, culminating with her fantastic goal.”
With this win, Leeds moved up, widening their point gap to two against Sheffield United and four points above third-place Burnley, both of whom are competing for the top two automatic promotion spots.
The significance of this victory cannot be lost on the club's ambitions. Leeds had struggled with form, not winning any of their previous three matches, and were well aware of the necessity for three points to keep hopes of automatic promotion firmly alive.
Looking forward, Leeds will take on Queens Park Rangers away on March 15, 2025, another pivotal match as they aim to solidify their position. Tanaka has firmly established herself as the linchpin of the team, and her consistency on the pitch will be indispensable for Leeds's aspirations moving forward.
Followers of the club and Tanaka alike are showing excitement and confidence due to her exceptional goal-scoring ability and overall contributions on the field. This latest performance will surely add fuel to the calls from fans who wish to see her continue to thrive not just at the club level but also with the national team.
With the season drawing closer to its conclusion, every match becomes increasingly important. Leeds United and Tanaka are set to face challenges head-on, and their fans are eagerly waiting to see how far they can go this season.