JAKARTA - The Japanese national team supporters have again shown their commendable attitude. They are willing to postpone celebrating Japan's historic victory over Germany in order to clean up trash in the stands.
Japan made a sensational comeback to pick up Germany's first win at the Khalifa Stadium, Wednesday, November 23 night. The Blue Samurai fell behind with Ilkay Gundogan's penalty in the first half before replying to two goals through Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano in the second half of the match.
Despite defeating the four-time world champion, a number of Blue Samurai supporters did not immediately develop. They first cleaned the stadium from dirt and food wraps as well as drink cups left in the stands.
In various photos and video clips circulating, several Japanese supporters were seen carrying large plastic bags to collect the garbage when other spectators decided to leave the stands first.
Tidying up after one of their greatest #FIFAWorldCup wins 👏 Huge respect to these Japanese fans 🙌 #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/RVwLwykPeq
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 24, 2022
This act of collecting trash is not a new sight. They did the same thing at the World Cup in Russia four years ago, especially after losing 2-3 to Belgium in the round of 16.
In addition, they also carried out cleaning activities in this year's World Cup opener between Qatar and Ecuador, who in fact both teams were not their favorite team.
Launching BBC Sport, in Japan cleanliness is part of a culture that is instilled in its people from an early age.
In 2018, Scott North, a professor of sociology at Osaka University, said that clean-up activities were the Japanese way of "showing pride in their way of life".
"Cleaning after a football game is an extension of the basic behavior taught at school, where children have to clean classrooms and halls in schools," he said.
Victory over Germany put Japan in second place in Group E standings with a collection of three points. They are behind Spain with the same number of points, but are ahead on goal difference thanks to a big 7-0 win over Costa Rica
Japan will next face Costa Rica in their next Group E match on Sunday. The Blue Samurai will next meet Spain in the final group stage match on Thursday.
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