FIFA World Cup 2022: Japanese fans' heartwarming gesture of cleaning stadium after match

ANI
23 Nov 2022, 12:48 GMT+10

Al Khor [Qatar], November 23 (ANI): Japanese football fans did something unexpectedly classy at the end of the inaugural match of the FIFA World Cup 2002 at Doha's Al Bayt Stadium.

In a video that's recently making the rounds on social media, spectators from the island nation were seen picking up all the trash and leaving the stadium spick and span after the opening match between Ecuador and host Qatar on Sunday..

Originally shared by Qatari video creator Omar Al-Farooq, the video features him left in awe of the humility and discipline of the fans from the East Asian nation.

'It's not even their match!' Farooq exclaimed.

When the video creator asked why they were cleaning up one of them responded, "Japanese never leave rubbish behind." "We respect the place," she added.

"We are not doing it for cameras," another fan, dressed in the jersey of Qatar, said.

Not just one or two people, but a large number of Japanese spectators volunteered in cleaning the seating area of the 68,000 capacity stadium.

They also picked up flags that were left on the ground by other spectators, and either put them on the stadium's chairs or took them with them.

A visibly touched Farooq was seen hugging some of the volunteers for their immensely kind deed.

The video moved a number of people across the world, including businessman Anand Mahindra. "They said they weren't doing it for the cameras, but I'm glad the cameras still spotted them. The values they're displaying are worthy of a global audience," he wrote on Twitter.

The inaugural match of the 2022 World Cup took place between host-nation Qatar and Ecuador, with the latter emerging victorious. The multinational football event is taking place in the Middle East for the first time in history. It is also the first time the World Cup is held outside its June-July window to avoid the harsh summer heat of Qatar. (ANI)

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to China National News.

More Information

null in null

Business

Section

Musk’s X loses CEO Linda Yaccarino amid AI backlash, ad woes

BASTROP, Texas: In a surprising turn at Elon Musk's X platform, CEO Linda Yaccarino announced she is stepping down, just months after...

Ex-UK PM Sunak takes advisory role at Goldman Sachs

NEW YORK CITY, New York: Former British prime minister Rishi Sunak will return to Goldman Sachs in an advisory role, the Wall Street...

Gold ETF inflows hit 5-year high as tariffs drive safe-haven bets

LONDON, U.K.: Physically backed gold exchange-traded funds recorded their most significant semi-annual inflow since the first half...

PwC: Copper shortages may disrupt 32 percent of chip output by 2035

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands: Some 32 percent of global semiconductor production could face climate change-related copper supply disruptions...

U.S. stocks recover after Trump-tariffs-induced slump

NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stocks rebounded Tuesday with all the major indices gaining ground. Markets in the UK, Europe and Canada...

Stocks slide as Trump unveils 25% tariffs on Japan, S. Korea

NEW YORK CITY, New York: Financial markets kicked off the week on a cautious note as President Donald Trump rolled out a fresh round...

Asia Pacific

Section