Japanese fans clean stadium after World Cup defeat

Japanese fans who watched their national team lose to the Ivory Coast in the World Cup on Saturday showed it is possible to lose graciously, when they stayed behind after the match to help clean up.

As the stadium emptied, some Blue Samurai supporters walked up and down the aisles filling trash bags. Though this is a customary practice at Japanese sporting events that has been carried over to previous World Cups, it's still something most fans from other parts of the world wouldn't even consider doing.

CLASS ACT: Japanese fans were seen cleaning their part of the stands after the match. #WorldCupProblems pic.twitter.com/0wIR8alK8P

— World Cup Problems (@WorIdCupProbs) June 15, 2014

Despite the 2-1 defeat against Didier Drogba's team, Japanese fans armed with bin liners patrolled their side of the stadium and gathered up discarded litter, Yahoo Sport reported.

But the respectfulness wasn't just limited to the fans. Before the clean-up began, the Japanese players lined up and bowed to their loyal supporters. Though players often applaud their fans after a match, the world would be a slightly better place if more people felt the desire to pick up after their neighbor and do the occasional group bow.