Domestic Leagues
There were more invaluable contributions from other continental stars, so follow the-AFC.com as we look at what Asia’s finest have been up to in Europe this past week.
England: Tanaka’s Leeds move out of danger
Japan midfielder Ao Tanaka played 72 minutes for Leeds United in their 3-1 win over Burnley, which moved his side nine points clear of the relegation zone.
Brighton’s Japan midfielder Kaoru Mitoma was in action for 90 minutes in a 3-1 loss to Newcastle, with his club slipping to seventh after their first defeat since March 4.
Japan midfielder Daichi Kamada played the first half in Crystal Palace’s 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth.
Scotland: Maeda helps Celtic win
Celtic’s Japan forward Daizen Maeda netted in the 41st minute in their 2-1 win over 10-man Hibernian. Maeda, who scored his fourth goal in three games, was joined in the starting lineup by Korea Republic forward Yang Hyun-jun while Hibs started Australia forward Martin Boyle and his countryman Jack Iredale, who was replaced by Australia forward Ante Suto in the 81st minute.
Livingstone’s Australia forward Ryan McGowan played a full match in a 2-2 draw with Aberdeen, who brought in his fellow international Nicolas Milanovic in the 83rd minute.
Australia’s Zachary Sapsford played 71 minutes in Dundee United’s 3-0 defeat to Kilmarnock, whose win lifted them out of the relegation play-off spot but confirmed Livingstone’s drop to the Scottish Championship.
Germany: Kim, Ito feature in Bayern thriller
Bayern Munich’s Korea Republic defender Kim Min-jae and Japan international Hiroki Ito both played a full match in a 3-3 stalemate with bottom side Heidenheim, with the Bundesliga champions drawing level 10 minutes into stoppage time.
Japan defender Yukinari Sugawara was in action for 79 minutes in Werder Bremen’s 3-1 defeat to Augsburg.
Mainz 05 started Japan midfielder Kaishu Sano in their 2-1 win over St Pauli, who featured Australia international Jackson Irvine, Japan internationals Tomoya Ando and Joel Fujita and brought in Australia international Connor Metcalfe after the break.
Borussia Monchengladbach sent in Indonesia defender Kevin Diks in the 70th minute and Japan forward Shuto Machino a minute into stoppage time in a 1-1 tie with Borussia Dortmund.
Freiburg’s Japan midfielder Yuito Suzuki was on for 81 minutes in a 1-1 stalemate with Wolfsburg.
Netherlands: Goals for Watanabe, Mito
Feyenoord’s Japan defender Tsuyoshi Watanabe scored in the 84th minute as his side came from behind to beat Fortuna Sittard 2-1. Feyenoord also started his fellow international Ayase Ueda and Australia defender Jordan Bos while Indonesia defender Justin Hubner played a full match for Sittard.
Japan midfielder Shunsuke Mito netted two minutes into first-half added time in Sparta Rotterdam’s 2-2 stalemate with Go Ahead Eagles, who sent in Indonesia defender Dean James in the 88th minute.
Second bottom NAC Breda’s Australian midfielder Max Balard played a full 90 minutes in their 2-0 loss to Utrecht, a result which saw his side go eight matches without a win.
Ajax’s Japan defender Ko Itakura was in action for 82 minutes in a 2-2 stalemate with PSV, who are confirmed as Eredivisie champions this season.
Japan midfielder Kodai Sano started for NEC Nijmegen in a 1-1 draw with Telstar. Sano’s fellow international Koki Ogawa came on in the 67th minute.
France: Al Tamari scores, assists in Rennes’ loss
Rennes’s Jordan midfielder Mousa Al Tamari struck in the sixth minute and assisted in the 48th in a 4-2 loss to Lyon, which broke his side’s five-match undefeated run.
Ligue 1 titleholders and leaders Paris Saint-Germain’s Korea Republic midfielder Lee Kang-in played a full match in a 2-2 tie with Lorient. His side look set to retain the championship and are six points clear of second-placed Lens.
Saudi Arabia international Saud Abdulhamid was given his marching orders in the 81st minute in Lens’ 1-1 draw with Nice, who scored three minutes after the defender was sent off.
Le Havre’s Japan defender Ayumu Seko played a full match in a 1-1 draw against Lille in what was his side’s fifth consecutive draw and 10th match without a win.
Italy: Parma’s Suzuki, Circati fail to stop Inter
Japan custodian Zion Suzuki and Australia defender Alessandro Circati featured in Parma’s 2-0 loss to Inter Milan, who clinched their 21st Serie A title and their first since 2024.
Sassuolo’s Indonesia defender Jay Idzes played 40 minutes in a 2-0 win over 10-man AC Milan.
Spain: Up-and-down week for Ryan
Australia custodian Mathew Ryan kept a clean sheet in Levante’s goalless stalemate with Espanyol. Ryan, however, conceded five in their following 5-1 loss to Villareal, with his second bottom side chalking up their first defeat in four La Liga outings.
Belgium: Sayyad, Sakamoto star in Westerlo win
Islamic Republic of Iran forward Allahyar Sayyad struck in the 50th and 68th minutes and Japan’s Isa Sakamoto in the 52nd to give Westerlo a 3-3 result against OH Leuven, who started Sakamoto’s countryman Takahiro Akimoto. Japan U20 international Shunsuke Saito played a full match for Westerlo.
Sint-Truiden’s Japan international Ryotaro Ito converted a penalty 10 minutes into injury time to give his side a 2-1 win over Belgian Pro League leaders Union Saint-Gilloise. His countrymen and teammates Leo Kokubo, Taiga Hata, Keisuke Goto and internationals Shogo Taniguchi and Rihito Yamamoto all started.
Antwerp’s Japan midfielder Yuto Tsunashima found the back of his own net in the 33rd minute as his side went down 5-0 to Standard Liege. Japan’s Taishi Nozawa started in goal for Antwerp while Saudi Arabia forward Marwan Al Sahafi came on in the 66th minute.
Syria international and Sporting Charleroi captain Aiham Ousou played a full game in a 2-0 win over Genk, who started Japan forward Junya Ito and brought in his countryman Ayumu Yokoyama in the 60th minute.
Japan defender Daiki Hashioka was replaced in the 83rd minute by Korea Republic midfielder Hong Hyeon-seok in Gent’s 1-0 defeat to Mechelen.
Dender’s Indonesia midfielder Ragnar Oratmangoen stepped on after the break in a 1-0 loss to RAAL La Louviere.
Photo: AFP
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