Urawa Reds fans clean-up after messy Club World Cup exit

Kristian R. Dyer

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Urawa Reds fans clean-up after messy Club World Cup exit image

It may have been three losses in as many games for the Urawa Reds in the FIFA Club World Cup, but the Japanese club is certainly supported by some winners.

Following a 4-0 defeat to Liga MX club Monterrey on Wednesday night, Urawa supporters were seen cleaning up their section at the Rose Bowl.

While it was a tough tournament for the J1 League side, their fans were creating buzz all throughout the FIFA Club World Cup.

Wednesday night’s strong support by the Reds faithful was capped off by the tradition of cleaning up the stands after the match. Japanese supporters are known for cleaning up after themselves following matches.

They came with bags and painstakingly worked through the stands to pick up the trash, dutifully cleaning up despite the lopsided score line and the end to a tournament that certainly disappointing for the fanbase. Even the children in the section were seen picking up their trash and throwing it into bags.

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On the field, Urawa conceded nine goals and scored just twice across three games in the FIFA Club World Cup. It was the third-worst goal differential for any of the 16 teams in the tournament.

Despite the results, Urawa showed well in the stands. And it wasn’t just by cleaning up their trash.

Reds supporters travelled in numbers to support their club, showing up and creating quite the display. In a tournament where a number of supporters groups really turned out in numbers, the Urawa fans were perhaps the best and most colorful of the group stage.

The loud and vocal support was picked up globally, and won fans the world over.

Urawa finished bottom of the group. River Plate, on four points, narrowly missed out on the knockout round.

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Kristian R. Dyer

Kristian Dyer is a freelance writer for The Sporting News. Kristian first began covering soccer in 2005 for ESPN.com. Since then, he has covered MLS, the United States national team and World Cup qualifiers. He once interviewed Pele and shook the legend's hand. He still hasn't washed that hand since.