ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The blue bags Japan fans waved in a frenzy after their team got a late tying goal were then used after the final whistle to maintain what has become a cleansing World Cup tradition. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Associated Press.
The Samurai Blue fans cleaned up before they left the stadium Sunday, picking up trash from the stands after Japan's 2-2 draw against the Netherlands in Group F. Only a few minutes earlier, those then-empty blue bags were prominent in the celebration when Daichi Kamada scored on a header off Koki Ogawa's corner kick in the 88th minute.
Along with the constant chants for their team, those bags the fans bring to the stadium are often raised in unison. The scene became frantic after goals, such as Keito Nakamura's earlier in the second half to tie the game at 1-all and Kamada's shot that ultimately secured a draw. After the match, Japanese fans collected trash, upholding their tradition of cleanliness.