Japanese supporters once again captured the imagination of soccer fans around the world, not just for the atmosphere they created during their team’s thrilling contest. FIFA World Cup A clash against Holland, but what they did after the final whistle.Hours after Daichi Kamada’s dramatic 88th-minute equalizer drew Japan 2-2 in Group F, videos emerged showing Samurai Blue faithful cleaning the stands at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, continuing a tradition that is synonymous with Japanese soccer culture.FIFA shared footage of the heartbreaking scenes on social media, with fans using the same blue bags they had waved during the game to pick up litter before exiting the stadium.
‘It’s like respect for everything’
Explaining why Japanese fans continue the practice, one supporter delivered a message that resonated throughout the soccer world.“It’s the culture. But it’s like respecting everything. Respecting the players, the fans and the stadium as well. It’s an honor for us to be here, so we don’t want to mess it up and then leave it. So I think that’s why we’re doing it,” the fan said in a video shared by FIFA.The blue bags played a different role just minutes ago. They were raised in celebration when Keito Nakamura equalized the score first before Kamada headed home Koki Ogawa’s corner to secure a valuable point for Japan in the 88th minute.
A tradition that started in 1998.
The practice first gained worldwide attention during Japan’s first World Cup appearance in France in 1998. Despite their team’s exit in the group stage, Japanese supporters were behind in picking up the trash after the matches.Since then, the gesture has become a familiar sight at major sporting events, including the Olympic Games and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where Japan fans cleared the stands after their famous 2-1 victory over Germany.The tradition has now made its mark in the United States as well, leaving AT&T Stadium spotless after a game that featured plenty of drama on the pitch.
Kamada’s late strike saved Japan
The heart-wrenching scenes came after Japan’s double-header against the Netherlands. Virgil van Dijk Keto Nakamura opened the scoring early in the second half before equalizing for the Samurai Blue.Crescencio Summerville restored the Dutch lead in the 64th minute, but Kamada’s late header sparked celebrations among the Japanese supporters and earned them a deserved share of the points.
