Japanese fans are caught in heartwarming act at Women's World Cup
Japanese football fans are caught performing heartwarming act long after their team pulled off giant-killing World Cup win over Spain
- Japanese fans stay behind to clean stadium
- Country has reputation for the classy act
- Japan thrashed heavyweights Spain 4-0
Japan’s football fans have won the respect and admiration of many around the world with their classy act of cleaning up stadiums – and they’ve done it again after their stunning win over Spain.
Japan thrashed Spain 4-0 in the final round of group games at the World Cup to ensure they topped Group C with a perfect record.
Their place in the knockout round was already secured before Monday’s game at Wellington Regional Stadium, but Futoshi Ikeda’s side was ready to make a statement against the tournament favourites.
The Europeans dominated the ball but struggled to create opportunities and it was soon 2-0 thanks to Riko Ueki, who finished off another fine Japan counter attack to double her side’s lead.
Spain’s lack of pace continued to show and before half-time it was 3-0. Miyazawa netted her second of the game as her team took an unassailable lead in what was a group-defining game.
Japan thrashed tournament heavyweights Spain in a scintillating display on Monday
Fans stayed behind long after the final whistle to clean up the stadium
It was Japan’s third shot of the game but they were proving clinical, with the 23-year-old taking the lead in the race for the Golden Boot as she took her goal tally to four for the tournament.
The fourth goal arrived just before full time with Mina Tanaka netting what was one of the goals of the tournament.
After the final whistle, fans at the stadium proved yet again that they are the classiest supporters in world sport by collecting rubbish from around the stadium.
Pictures from the stadium show fans in face paint and their national team’s kit picking up rubbish and putting it in trash bags after most of the other fans had cleared out.
Japan supporters won hearts at the Men’s World Cup in Qatar LAST YEAR for cleaning up stadiums – sometimes when their side wasn’t even playing.
When asked by journalists why they spend time cleaning, one fan told reporters: ‘We are Japanese and we do not leave rubbish behind us and we respect the place.’
Fans and players also left their dressing rooms absolutely spotless after matches – often with origami swans and a thank you notes in Japanese and Arabic for their hosts.
The country has gained a reputation for similar goodwill at previous international tournaments and their admirable behaviour is already winning plaudits yet again.
Japan has gained a reputation for similar goodwill at previous international tournaments
Japan fans won hearts at the Men’s World Cup in Qatar for cleaning up stadiums – sometimes when their side wasn’t even playing
Underdogs Japan are now emerging as genuine contenders at the tournament
The result against Spain will be a huge confidence booster for Japan, who, as underdogs, will now fancy their chances of going far in the tournament.
For Spain, however, who were perhaps second favourites to lift the trophy behind the USA, the result will come as a blow, and Jorge Vilda’s side must regroup ahead of the knockout stages.
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