Unruly fans mar exciting match

2009/11/08

Devinder Singh

THE Malaysia Cup final was marred by dissatisfied fans who threw a barrage of missiles and fireworks on to the pitch as security fire emergency personnel moved in to extinguish bonfires in the stands. A television crew was also reportedly assaulted with stones and water bottles after the match.

Earlier, police proved no match for gatecrashers as scores of ticket-less Kelantan fans slipped through the security cordon at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

The fans had begun gathering outside the stadium for the Malaysia Cup final between Kelantan and Negri Sembilan since mid-day.

A few hundred impatient fans however managed to push their way through the Red Gate entrance as four policemen struggled to hold them at bay.

The scene outside was in stark contrast with the atmosphere inside as some 20,000 Kelantan fans had already flooded the stands four hours before kick-off.

Fans who were unable to get tickets barge through the gates at the National Stadium yesterday. — Pic: MOHD YUSNI ARIFFIN

Two hours later some two-thirds of the stadium was filled by the red brigade, far outnumbering the yellow-clad Negri supporters and creating a ceaseless cauldron of noise amidst the flare of fireworks which had been smuggled in.

Although short on numbers, the Negri fans were full of voice with chants of "Hobin Jang Hobin", rivaling the Kelantan supporters refrain of "Gomo Kelate" in intensity.

The heavens too opened early in the evening to drench the stadium before softening into a light drizzle until just before the match kicked off at 8.45pm.

The turnout of more than 85,000 was more than the number which witnessed the FA Cup final between Selangor and Kelantan in Bukit Jalil earlier this year.

There were no surprises on the football side when the two coaches named their strongest sides with Indra Putra Mahayuddin returning from suspension for Kelantan.