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Image Credits: Twitter/FIFA World Cup, Unsplash (Representational)
FIFA World Cup: Japan Fans Win Hearts As They Help Clean Up Stadium Following An Iconic Win Against Germany
Writer: Deepthi Rao
She is a postgraduate student pursuing Multimedia Journalism at Christ Deemed to be University. She believes in the power of storytelling and truth. "Do it with passion or not at all."
Others/World, 24 Nov 2022 11:20 AM GMT | Updated 24 Nov 2022 12:23 PM GMT
Editor : Jayali Wavhal |
She writes about gender issues, human interest, and environment.
Creatives : Jayali Wavhal
She writes about gender issues, human interest, and environment.
In what has become a tradition, fans of the 'Blue Samurai' practised their belief in cleanliness by helping authorities pick up trash from the stadium, thus imparting an important lesson to the audience worldwide.
After Japan fans celebrated Japan's shocking win over four-time champion Germany in Wednesday's FIFA World Cup match, they ended up leaving everyone around the world impressed. The responsible fans of 'Blue Samurai' helped authorities pick up trash at the Khalifa International stadium after the match concluded, winning hearts and imparting an important lesson to everyone.
Post-Match Ritual For Fans
Post the match, as the audience was leaving the stadium, Japanese fans were seen gearing up to clean the facility. They pulled out disposable trash bags and started picking up the heaps of trash that were left behind by the crowd. While the spectacle of onlookers sticking around to clean up may surprise some people, it is not unusual for the Japanese.
It is now a ritual for the fans of Samurai Blue to clean up football stadiums; even a defeat does not stop them from carrying out this crucial post-game duty. An example is the 2018 World Cup match held in Russia between Belgium and Japan. Belgium defeated Japan after scoring an injury-time goal, leaving several Japan fans sad. Regardless, once the match was concluded, the fans pulled out the disposable garbage bags and got to work.
Speaking to Al Jazeera ahead of the game against Germany, one such volunteer, Saysuka, said that while they are aware of people noticing their custom, she wants to clarify the fans are not doing it for attention. She then opened her backpack to reveal a set of trash bags she would use throughout the game and then give to others. "Cleanliness and tidiness is like religion to us in Japan, and we value it", she remarked.
Several videos and pictures of the responsible fans cleaning the stadium have been doing rounds on social media platforms. One such video was shared by FIFA World Cup's official Twitter handle saying, "Tidying up after one of their greatest #FIFAWorldCup wins. Huge respect to these Japanese fans."
Tidying up after one of their greatest #FIFAWorldCup wins 👏
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 24, 2022
Huge respect to these Japanese fans 🙌 #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/RVwLwykPeq
Japan's fans are truly the best.🇯🇵
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) November 23, 2022
They beat Germany in a famous win, but before celebrating stuck around at the Khalifa International Stadium to help clean up.👏 pic.twitter.com/sZhNExEDqi
Iconic Victory Against Germany
The penalty by Germany's Ilkay Guendogan gave them a hopeful lead in the first half; however, Japan's Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano delivered the pivotal blow in the last 15 minutes to present their team with a surprise 2-1 victory. Despite playing against each other twice in international friendlies before Wednesday's World Cup match, it was Japan's first-ever triumph against Germany.
After being defeated in the 2018 World Cup by Mexico when they were ousted in the first round as champions - their earliest elimination in more than 80 years - and by France at Euro 2020, the defeat against Japan was Germany's third consecutive one in the opening game of a major international championship.
Also Read: 'Hope We Play World Cup Soon': Indian Football Fans Share Thoughts Ahead Of FIFA World Cup
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