Japan may have been knocked out of the World Cup but they have won the hearts of football fans in Russia, reports the Sun.
After their fans stayed behind to clean the stadium following their last-gasp defeat to Belgium, the first-team players also left their mark in the dressing room.
Japan, who have never won a knockout game, came close to producing a giant-killing after going two goals ahead in the second half.
But their players were left distraught when Nacer Chadli scored a 94th minute winner to complete a sensational comeback for Roberto Martinez's side.
Despite this, they left the changing room immaculate, leaving behind a message in Russian, "Spasibo", that translates to thank you.
This was Japan’s dressing room after a heart breaking injury-time defeat by Belgium. They left it spotless with a note saying ‘thank you’ in Russian. Japan fans stayed behind to clean up the stands. Pure class from Japan!??? pic.twitter.com/3opEWdKURX
— golazolive (@golaz0live) July 3, 2018
Genki Haraguchi and Takashi Inui had Akira Nishino's side dreaming of a first ever World Cup quarter-final spot.
But Jan Vertonghen's looped header found the net before Marouane Fellaini added a second.
Chadli struck at the death to make it 3-2.
Images showed Japan fans in tears at full-time.
But they proved they were not sore losers by cleaning up the Rostov Arena after the final whistle.
They did the same after their stunning win over Group H opponent Colombia earlier in the finals.
Japan vs Belgium: Samurai blue clean dressing room, leave thank-you note despite losshttps://t.co/N4c2VjBnPE
— The Punch Newspapers (@MobilePunch) July 3, 2018
Japan lost the game, but win hearts on social media after leaving their dressing room clean https://t.co/SFKBSrTw0d pic.twitter.com/5CvRxFjZMV
— nigerianscitizens (@NCBLOG_) July 3, 2018
