Japan’s Tanaka โApologizes to Ghana โCoach After Opponent Suffers โbroken Leg in Friendly
Toyota Stadium, โคAichi Prefecture – A friendly match between japan and Ghanaโฃ on Friday, Novemberโ 14,โ 2025, โwas marredโ by a severeโฃ leg injury to โฃGhana’s Abu Francis, sustained during a collision with Japanese player Ao โคTanaka.โค Tanaka instantly sought out Ghana coachโ Otto Addo to personally โฃapologize for the incident.
The injury occurred before โJapan’s second goal โin their 2-0 victory. โTanaka’s forceful kick struck Francis’ calf, resulting in a visibly broken leg and audible screams of pain that echoed throughout the stadium. Francis was later stretchered off the field,and Tanakaโฃ was later substituted.
addo publicly praised Tanaka’sโข sportsmanship following the match. “I really appreciate โขit because the player not onylโ met ourโ playersโข to apologize โคfor โขwhat had happened, but โalsoโ met me as a coach,” Addo told 3Sports. “Weโ should not underestimate this kind of behavior. I think this isโ a very, very good education here in Japan. And for the playersโ to apologize means โฃa lot, and I told him that I โขreally appreciate it.”
Tanaka, who plays for Leeds United, โขdemonstratedโข immediate remorse for the injury. The incident โขhighlights the potential for serious injury even in exhibition matches and underscores the importance of respectful conduct between players and teams. japan secured the win with goals fromโ Takumi Minamino and โฃRitsu Doan.