3 things we learned from Belgium’s riveting win over Japan

3. Japan are just as good off the pitch

There is far more to Japan than just their superb team.

Scratch beneath the surface of the football itself, and there are various other aspects which make the Asians’ exit even more agonising.

Their heart-warming story, nearly with the storybook ending of reaching the quarter finals for the first time in their history, knows no bounds.

An optimistic, fearless style of play is just one of the things which make Japan special.

And what has surfaced recently is the fans’ extremely respectable etiquette inside the Rostov Arena, as well as the players inside the dressing room.

Despite the anguish of their crushing late defeat, the Japanese supporters stayed long after full-time to clean litter from the stands.

Similarly, the players and backroom staff left the dressing room in spotless condition (the cleaning must have taken a significant amount of time), and left a thank you note in Russian.

It should be us thanking Japan, for becoming one of the important cogs in this amazing World Cup machine.

Few had them down as their pick to get out of a competitive Group H, but when they beat ten-man Colombia it was only the beginning.

A plucky draw against Senegal increased their chances of reaching the knockouts. Though their method in a dreadful final match with Poland was lamented, many had already warmed to Japan and their colourful supporters.

Next: Why France v. Argentina was the best World Cup match ever

It made it all the more upsetting to see them lose, but their grace in defeat was something rarely seen in a tournament with as high magnitude as the World Cup.

They will be missed, but also remembered as a real gem in Russia.