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KUALA LUMPUR – Local football fans have begun congregating at Bukit Jalil National Stadium here for tonight’s highly anticipated Malaysia Cup final between Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) and Selangor FC.
The atmosphere at the stadium was festive after the gates were opened at 5pm and fans were seen mingling and browsing through the usual pre-match carnival featuring vendors selling team jerseys and souvenirs, along with various food and drinks.
Security was at an optimum with enforcement officers at the ready around the stadium and managing traffic flow throughout major routes and intersections around the stadium.
JDT and Selangor supporters came dressed for the occasion, in their respective red-blue and red-yellow colours, all eagerly awaiting the final kicking off at 9pm.
JDT fan Marlinda Samuri, 32, was the centre of attention dressed in her “striped tiger” costume, which she has worn in support of her favourite team at each match.
“This is my trademark because I do wear it to every match even though it can be hot and sweaty, but it’s not a problem for me as I am used to wearing a uniform during work,” the Pontian volunteer said.
Fellow JDT fan Ahmad Suhaimi Shamsi – sporting an eye-catching Trojan hairdo complete with a red-blue mask – had driven all the way from Kluang with his work colleagues to watch JDT attempt to complete the treble this season.
“I hope my third time watching JDT in a final this year will pay off, just like in the FA Cup (last September)… I feel JDT can win 4-1 with Arif Aiman (Arif Aiman Mohd Hanapi) scoring and helping the team to their treble,” the 31-year-old said.
Meanwhile, Selangor fan Azwan Waifa was hoping his team, coached by Tan Cheng Hoe, would end their six-year drought and win the Malaysia Cup for the 34th time.
“Since Cheng Hoe took over, Selangor seems to be improving positively… win or lose, that’s secondary, there’s no such thing as a loss in football because this is my soul,” the 21-year-old from Sg Buloh said.
Around 80,000 fans are expected for the final at the national stadium, and JDT seem to have the advantage over Selangor having won three matches and drawn twice in their five previous meetings.
Selangor are still the most successful team in Malaysia Cup history, having won the cup an astounding 33 times, while JDT have won it twice, in 2017 and 2019, since being established in 2013. – Bernama, November 26, 2022
