Japanese team boost away attendance with cardboard cutouts

June 01, 2014 • • min read

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Japanese minnows Omiya Ardija have devised a clever ploy in a bid to get bigger crowds at away matches.

Omiya's attendances rank among the lowest in the J-League year after year, but their fans wanted to support the players for a mid-week away game at Tokushima Vortis.

Perhaps ashamed of their small numbers, those who made the trip of more than 300 miles to the stadium came up with a brilliant solution.

The dozen or so fans set up vaguely people shaped cardboard cutouts in their section to fill seats.

大宮からもたくさんのサポーターが！あ、あれ…？ pic.twitter.com/Sjq5r0QEOm
— やま (@3freccecarp) May 28, 2014

大宮サポーターによる　偽兵の計　ｗｗｗｗよく見ると読売ジャイアンツまで動員してるｗｗｗｗ UPになるまで気づかなかったｗｗｗｗｗ pic.twitter.com/hCRZJTRn7U
— UG (@soccerugfilez) May 28, 2014

Did it work? Perhaps. The match ended in a 1-1 draw.

Nevertheless, the cardboard still looks more realistic than what Italian Serie B outfit Triestina did in 2010.

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