Japan and The United States Men’s National Team played out an enthralling friendly in Dusseldorf on Friday afternoon – with Arsenal, Leeds United and Celtic players all starting. Japan secured a 2-0 win.
Tyler Adams and Brenden Aaronson of Leeds and Arsenal’s Matt Turner started. For Japan, Celtic’s Daizen Maeda got the nod. Daichi Kamada and Kaoru Mitoma got the goals. Here are the Arsenal, Celtic and Leeds stars ratings:
Matt Turner (Arsenal, USA) 8
Following on his from his Arsenal debut against Zurich, Turner was in excellent form for the USMNT. He stopped Daichi Kamada with a superb save, when the Tottenham and Leeds transfer target was played through on goal.
He could do little when Kamada did beat him on 26 minutes – and then Mitoma late on. Kamada might have had a hat-trick had it not been for the £7.5m Arsenal man, who finger-tipped a curling shot wide on 65 minutes.
Superb display from Turner, despite the loss and conceding twice.
Tyler Adams (Leeds, USA) 6
Adams hardly got involved throughout. Very hard-working at the base of his side’s midfield, he was tidy in possession and rarely put a foot wrong. But with Japan dominating, he was forced to retreat and work hard.
The summer signing from Leipzig was hardly given the opportunity to get his foot on the ball and play some passes. Nevertheless, he saw out the 90 minutes without injury – like Aaronson – which can only be a positive for Leeds.
Brenden Aaronson (Leeds USA) 6
Hard-working, but Aaronson was not used in his best position as a no.10. Instead, he was played on the right flank with USA fielding a 4-3-3. It meant that 21-year-old Aaronson was often seen in his own half, helping Sergino Dest.
He certainly put the graft in, but it meant that when he got forward – he lacked the legs. Dest was more effective in the final third. Moved into 10 role after 65 minutes, and had a curling effort on 80 minutes narrowly miss the top corner.
Takehiro Tomiyasu (Arsenal, Japan) 7
You could tell Tomiyasu is struggling in regards to his game time at Arsenal. Playing in the middle of the defence for Japan, Arsenal’s right-back has only managed six appearances this term – five of which have come from the bench.
The USMNT looked to press high and on a number of occasions, especially in the first half, Tomiyasu gave possession away. But as the game grew older, he became more comfortable and eventually, kept a clean sheet. Solid enough.
Daizen Maeda (Celtic, Japan) 4
The Celtic attacker started as Japan fielded a 4-4-2 formation to take on the USMNT. But Maeda has only managed one goal for Celtic this season in 10 league and cup appearances – and it showed on Friday afternoon in Germany.
He looked like a striker lacking confidence. While he did not do much wrong, he did nothing to change the game or have an impact. Maeda was hooked at half-time after a quiet half, with Kamada completely outshining him.
Others to feature:
Malik Tillman of Rangers, and Josh Sargent of Norwich City came off the bench for the USMNT. Brighton’s Mituma also featured as a substitute for Japan, scoring a wonderful curling effort after a forward run.
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