NFL quarterback Jameis Winston lent a helping hand on Sunday as Japanese soccer fans cleaned up trash around Dallas Stadium after the team came to a 2-2 draw against the Netherlands at the World Cup.
Videos posted to social media showed fans holding trash bags with the words “Japan Pride” emblazoned across them. The New York Giants quarterback, who is a FOX Sports soccer correspondent for the World Cup, was also seen cleaning up trash around the stadium.
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Japan earned a point in the group stage thanks to Daichi Kamada’s game-tying goal in the 88th minute of the match against the Dutch. The Samurai Blue fans were frenzied after the goal went into the back of the net.
“Our players managed to be tenacious but at the same time be patient and just keep calm and finding and seizing an opportunity,” Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu said through an interpreter.
The Netherlands’ Virgil Van Dijk and Crysencio Summerville scored off the post in the second half. Japan’s Keio Nakamura got one back minutes later. All three goals were scored in a 14-minute span.
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But conceding a goal late in the match was tough for the Dutch to swallow.
“It’s disappointing now because obviously conceding the lead is never good,” Van Dijk said. “It’s extra disappointing that we conceded from a set piece so late on.”
The Netherlands beat Japan in their only other World Cup matchup in 2010.
“I’m disappointed that we didn’t win, but that’s because we were ahead twice,” Koeman added. “Many people underestimated Japan, but for the 100,000th time, if you underestimate them, that’s your problem. You think Japan’s strength was overexaggerated before the match? Let’s wait until the end of the tournament to see who’s right.”
Japan made it to the elimination round in 2022 and 2018. They’ve never been past the round of 16.
The Netherlands is the only country to reach the final three times without winning the World Cup. The squad made it to the quarterfinals in 2022 but lost to Argentina on penalties.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
