Football matches between China and Japan have sometimes underscored the rivalry between these two powerful nations.
In 2004, Chinese fans went on the rampage when they lost a vital match to their arch enemies on home soil.
So the Chinese riot police were prepared for this latest encounter in the quarter-finals of the women's Olympic football competition.
The clash fell on a significant day. Exactly 63 years ago, Japanese Emperor Hirohito told his nation that it had lost World War II.
On this anniversary, many senior Japanese politicians visited the controversial Yasukuni Shrine, which honours Japanese war criminals and other war dead.
Perhaps fearful that this sensitive day could heighten tension at the match, there was a noticeable security presence in Qinhuangdao, where the game took place.
Six army trucks were parked directly outside the stadium, and two armoured vehicles belonging to the Special Police stood on the main approach road.
Japan PM stays away from shrine
But there was little chance of trouble, mainly because there were few, if any, Japanese fans. If they were in the crowd, they were keeping a low profile.
With painted faces and flags held aloft, China's legion of supporters were there for anyone to see, and they were in good humour.
"We're going to win three-nil," shouted one optimistically before kick-off. It was a prediction that proved wrong after just 15 minutes, when Japan went ahead.
Many Chinese fans had scarves hung around their shoulders with the words "Fight for the Motherland" written on them.
"I want everybody to have a good time. During the Olympics, I hope everyone can understand China," said 16-year-old Xu Dongye.
But the desire to win was never far from the surface. "Let's beat little Japan," said one man as he made his way to the entrance.
Even the young knew what the match meant.
"I feel very proud today because this is the match when Japan will surrender," said eight-year-old Zong Haoren. Her mother told her not to be so foolish.
Silence and roars
In Beijing, the authorities have worked hard to prevent Olympic crowds from being too one-sided in their support for the home team.
Volunteer spectators have even been drafted in at some half-full Olympic venues to cheer for both sides.
"I feel very proud today because this is the match when Japan will surrender"
Officials were particularly worried about football fans - notoriously bad in the capital - and launched a campaign to stamp out "Beijing swearing".
But in Qinhuangdao, a three-hour drive from Beijing, that message seemed not to have got through to the near-capacity crowd of 28,500.
They signalled their intention from the very beginning, just after the two teams entered the stadium.
The sound of booing greeted the Japanese national anthem; there was a deathly silence when it ended, only a few claps could be heard.
By contrast, there was a giant roar when the Chinese national anthem was played - and every time China attacked.
But home side failed to fulfil the hopes of its supporters.
Disappointed fans started leaving the stadium when Japan scored their second goal with 10 minutes remaining. Two-nil was the final result.
Chinese people care about history, but these fans seemed more interested in the football. When they knew their team had lost, they left peacefully.
There was no need for the riot police on this occasion.
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