Japan gain respect with Samurai Blue spirit

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Despite a heartbreaking 3-2 defeat for Belgium in the World Cup Round 16, Japanese players gain respect with Samurai Blue spirit, FIFA praises their fans' high quality inside the stadium.

Screenshot from FIFA’s Twitter account

After the match between Japan and Belgium, FIFA posted a message on its Twitter account saying, "Thank you for contributing so much to a World Cup classic and for everything you've added to Russia 2018."

Screenshot from Priscilla Janssens’s Twitter account

Additionally, Priscilla Janssens, the UEFA venue director in FIFA General Coordinator, speaks highly of Japanese national team on her Twitter account.

"This is the Japanese dressing room after losing to Belgium in 94’ minute. Thanked their fans, cleaned up everything and spoke to media. Even left a note with ’thank you’ in Russian. What an example for all teams." It’s a privilege to work with such a team, Janssens added.

Japan supporters collect rubbish after the match between Belgium and Japan at the Rostov Arena. /VCG Photo

Moreover, Japanese fans who watched their national team be knocked out showed it is possible to lose graciously when they stayed behind after the match to help clean up.

Instead of pushing their way to leave the stadium, Japanese fans thoroughly sweep their rows and seats after every single match, which show a kind gesture and expressed how proud they were of the custom.

Japan fans display a "Captain Tsubasa" banner before the match. "Captain Tsubasa" is a popular long-running Japanese manga series mainly revolving around the sport of football. /VCG Photo

Screenshot from Twitter account.

And @Albert10031 lauded that "Well Japanese they really have done a great job both in the game and after! They made a fantastic example to everyone which let us know that we could do more!"

Although Japan failed to get past the last 16 once again, Akira Nishino’s team had the Belgians sweating and were on the cusp of reaching their nation’s first-ever FIFA World Cup quarter-final.

"What a game it was!” The Asian Football Confederation said on Facebook. "Japan bow out from the World Cup despite leading by two goals after suffering a narrow defeat to Belgium!"

Screenshot from AFC’S Facebook account.

It wasn't only Japan’s outstanding performance that AFC commended, but also all of the five other participants from Asia, "You made Asia proud!"

So far, all of the Asian teams, Japan, Iran, Australia, South Korea and Saudi Arabia, have bowed out of the World Cup.