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Japanese fans have continued to pick up litter left in the stands even after their country’s heartbreaking penalty shootout loss to Croatia.
Fans equipped with blue bin bags were seen again as they hand-picked rubbish from under seats at Al Janoub Stadium.
Japanese fans have won applause during the World Cup for their cleanliness, which they have been doing as a gesture of respect and goodwill in the empty stadium.
And despite suffering a 3-1 loss on penalties, having been deadlocked at 1-1 after 90 minutes and extra time, they continued to show their class after being knocked out of the tournament.
The Japanese fans clean the stands removing their waste after the defeat in the penalty shootout against Croatia
A Japan fan carried a transparent bag full of rubbish inside Al Janoub Stadium.
Another Japan fan picks up plastic bottles left under seats after the game by hand.
Yet in Tokyo, Japan fans were photographed crying after their nation’s heartbreaking defeat.
Japan fans appear distraught after their team’s loss on penalties to Croatia in the round of 16.
There was a sweet moment when two stadium attendants showed up to thank fans with a fist bump while handing out several bags full of trash.
Japanese fans clean up litter in the stands after their penalty shootout loss to Croatia at Al Janoub Stadium
Japanese fans have earned plaudits throughout the World Cup for their cleanliness after their matches.
The bags full of rubbish collected by the Japanese fans are left neatly stacked for the stadium attendants.
Japan supporters were also photographed cleaning up not only for their own group stage match against Germany, Costa Rica and Spain, but also during the opening game of the World Cup, Qatar vs Ecuador.
A fan, draped in a Japan flag while wearing a large soccer cap, was seen with a garbage bag filled with plastic bottles.
There was also a sweet moment when two stadium stewards turned up to thank the fans with a fist bump as they handed out several bags full of rubbish.
The country has earned a reputation for similar goodwill in previous international tournaments and admirable behaviour.
And it has become a recurring theme to see Japanese fans leaving no trace in stadiums.
Against Germany, he left his dressing room at the Khalifa International Stadium absolutely spotless.
Images shared on social media showed floors swept, rubbish sorted into neat piles and even windows open for ventilation in Japan’s dressing room after their 2-1 win.
Japan fans have explained why they are collecting trash and cleaning up, even in games that don’t involve their nation.
One fan told Al Jazeera: ‘Our hearts are clean, so the stands must be clean. This means that the equipment reaches its destination.’
In 2018, after a heartbreaking defeat in the closing moments of their World Cup round of 16 tie with Belgium, they earned a great deal of respect when they cleared the Rostov Arena.
A Japan fan smiles as he is pictured with a blue plastic bag filled with plastic bottles and other rubbish.
A Japan supporter carries a blue plastic bag in one hand and a small Japanese flag in the other.
The country has earned a reputation for similar goodwill in previous international tournaments and admirable behaviour.
It’s becoming a recurring theme to see Japan fans leaving no trace in stadiums.
Supporters equipped with blue garbage bags were seen again as they collected rubbish under seats at Al Janoub Stadium.
On the pitch, meanwhile, Japan were knocked out in the round of 16 for the fourth time, unable to repeat the epic results against Germany and Spain in the group stage.
They took a first-half lead two minutes before halftime when a short corner routine set up Ritsu Doan to deliver a ferocious cross inside, which Croatia were unable to defend as they struggled in the opening period.
The second half opened similarly, without urgency, until Perisic brought Croatia to life with a superb header, guided inside the post from 12 yards after Dejan Lovren’s cross from long range.
Japan leaves Qatar having made many friends with their energetic performances and amazing wins. They have also given away smiles, like the most orderly team in the World Cup, cleaning their changing rooms and leaving little origami models.
They also made Croatia work hard, but what a terrible mess they made when it came to penalties.
Livakovic saved from Takumi Minamoto, Kaoru Mitoma and Maya Yoshida. Only Takuma Asano scored for Japan. It may take some time for the heartache to clear up.