Malaysians firmly behind national football team
KUALA LUMPUR: Come rain or shine, Malaysians are always there to support their beloved national team from whichever state they are in.
In Perak, thousands of supporters braved the drizzle as they sat in the Ipoh Railway Station square to watch Malaysia take on Thailand in the 29th SEA Games football final on a giant LED screen.
Even Ipoh mayor Datuk Zamri Man joined the crowd as he went around urging the fans to cheer the team on.
Retired army officer Mohd Khairudin Isa, 55, who came with his family, said all Malaysians should be proud of the national team for coming this far.
Admitting that he underestimated Datuk Ong Kim Swee’s charges, Mohd Khairudin said the team must have been buoyed by the massive home crowd.
“The whole country is standing united behind our team. They are soldiers on the field and based on their spirited performances, I can say they have made us very proud,” he said.
Student K. Premnath, 15, who was with his schoolmates, said he is now an avid football fan because of the team’s achievements.
“I like N. Thanabalan, Nor Azam Azih and Safawi Rasid because they are good players and have made the nation proud.
“I will follow all the national matches from now and give them moral support,” he said.
In Butterworth, Penang, the fans gathered at Restoran Wajibali in Jalan Bagan Luar and kept their eyes glued to the big screen set up outside the nasi kandar outlet.
The crowd had gathered there from as early as 7.30pm.
They waved the Jalur Gemilang and stood up to sing the Negaraku before the start of the game and many were heard cheering “Malaysia Boleh” repeatedly.
Self-employed Avtar Singh, 40, from Bagan Dalam, said he arrived at 8pm to catch the game.
“I came hoping Malaysia would win but we didn’t. It doesn’t matter because the team played very well but luck was not on their side. They played their very best,” he said.
Bank employee Zabidy Mustafa, 55, said that although he knew Thailand was the better team, he had hoped for Malaysia to win because of the home ground advantage.
“I am disappointed but based on how our team played, they have a good chance at gold in the next SEA Games,” he said.
The fans were treated to free roti canai and teh tarik, courtesy of Malaysian Indian Football Association deputy president J. Dhinagaran, who is also an MIC central working committee member.
And there was a lucky draw for them, as well as a quiz on the SEA Games, with prizes for the winners.
In Melaka, it was a nail-biting time for the group of fans who gathered at a mamak stall on Jalan Hang Tuah.
R. Saravana, 48, who arrived at 6.30pm to secure his seat, described the match as “nerve-wracking”.
Zaly Mahorm, 60, said the restaurant is the only place in the city with a big screen.
He said he likely drank six glasses of teh tarik during the match, he was too excited to keep count.