Massive test awaiting Leeds United star after Whites pair collision on international stage

Leeds United stars Ao Tanaka and Gabi Gudmundsson found themselves in an unusual position at the World Cup but ultimately with joy for both.

Leeds have four players representing the club at the World Cup and two of them in Tanaka and Gudmundsson went from club teammates to international rivals as Japan and Sweden faced off on Thursday night as Group F reached its conclusion.

Both started the contest, ahead of which Japan sat on four points and Sweden on three as both looked to progress to the competition’s knockout stages in a group also featuring the Netherlands and a Tunisia side without a point.

An uneventful first half ended goalless but Celtic’s Daizen Maeda fired Japan ahead in the 56th minute.

Draw ultimately sent both sides through

Sweden, though, drew level just six minutes later thanks to a stunning strike from Newcastle United’s Anthony Elanga which sealed a 1-1 draw which ultimately has sent both sides through.

A 3-1 win for the Netherlands against Tunisia has led to the Dutch winning the group but Japan progress as runners-up.

Sweden, meanwhile, are also now guaranteed a place in the knockout stages as one of the leading third-placed finishers.

Tanaka played the full match for Japan whilst Gudmundsson was only taken off with two minutes left for Benjamin Nygren.

A massive test now awaits for Tanaka and Japan who will play five-time winners Brazil in a mouth-watering last 32 clash on Monday evening.