Japan, as the only Asian team that advanced past group stages, awed audiences around the world with their fascinating game against Belgium. Although it's hard for them to bear the pitiful result, the Japanese team, as well as their fans, showed incredible grace and dignity throughout.

Their fans insisted picking up all the garbage from the stadium, and before leaving their dressing room, the team cleaned up the whole room and even left a “thank you” note written in Russian. Their behavior has won the respect of the Chinese audience and many netizens have given the country sincere compliments.

Some Japanese media sources reproduced a Chinese commentary piece written by Xinhua News Agency, which enabled Japanese netizens to see that Chinese fans were speaking highly of their national team, calling them “the hope of Asia”and “a respectful team”.

Japanese fans are very grateful to receive such compliments from China. They have since indicated that they appreciate Chinese fans’ sincerity and objectivity, with comments such as “Chinese people are very impartial in terms of athletic competition.” and “They (Chinese) appreciate a good game and make fun of a bad one. I like their ingenuousness!” Some Japanese netizens even made the suggestion, “let’s go to World Cup together next time!”