Despite an early exit from the World Cup, Japan can be proud of their fans.
The title for "Best Fans" is a hotly contested one, especially when every country’s fans come out in droves -- spirited, electrifying and adoring that sometimes culminates in a crazy amount of energy evidenced by the Chilean fans.
But only the Japanese fans clean up after themselves, literally.
Instead of waving flags, some Japanese fans waved blue plastic garbage bags that they later use to help clean up the trash they left in the stadium, according to the Associated Press.
After World Cup ending defeat vs Colombia, Japan fans stayed after FT whistle to help clean up the stadium. Respect. pic.twitter.com/pfOXJtnbyJ
— Natter Football (@NATTERFOOTBALL) June 25, 2014
Japanese Football fans cleaning the stadium after #JPN vs #COL match in #WorldCup. Respect for Japan's fans. pic.twitter.com/UeEtnLJ5Ye
— Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) June 24, 2014
Sports fans, in general, are oftentimes notorious for the trash they leave behind – sometimes mistakenly, most of the time drunkenly. And in a tournament where are eyes are glued to the pitch, and fans are caught up in the enthusiastic fervor that pervades the stadium, messes are bound to be made.
Despite being outnumbered by the Colombian sea of blue and yellow on Tuesday, the Japanese fans made the biggest impression with their special gesture.
Japan played its final match of the World Cup on Wednesday against Colombia. Though the 4-1 result was hard to swallow, Japan fought hard against Greece in their second match and earned a 0-0 draw on June 19. In their opening match of the tournament, they lost 2-1 to the Ivory Coast.
Overall, Japan finished last in Group C, but the players of the Japanese squad can be proud of their fans’ truly touching display of respect and courtesy.