But the television arrangements made by the sport's regional governing body left many American fans without a way to see the games.

"It's the first time we've been here, and I guess none of us expected to have such a great welcome from the American fans."

It is about American fans of all types everywhere.

But they did not come close, and the American fans applauded them politely.

"American fans have made anime into our own," he said.

For the average American fan, the shutout begins before the game starts.

If the dream team does win, American fans can be good sports too, by holding their gloating in check.

And American fans at the venue are a small minority.

He said American fans are being cheated when television advertisements keep telling them they watch the best players in the world every week.

He says that one of his American fans is now his girlfriend.