KUALA LUMPUR: FANS and supporters of Pahang and Johor Darul Ta’azim (JDT) are waiting with bated breath as their respective team’s clash in a much-anticipated Malaysia Cup final tomorrow night.
Fans from the two teams lined up hours before day-break, braved the heat, spent more hours in long queues in their bid to get tickets for the finale.
At the Bukit Jalil National Stadium here, fans from both teams lined up from as early as 6am to get their hands on the cup final tickets.
There was no untoward incident as fans from both sides behaved impeccably as they lined up to get their tickets.
In Temerloh, counters at the Mini Stadium here opened at 9.50am, but fans began arriving as early as 6am.
Things momentarily got out of hand when some impatient fans jumped the queue.
At least two men were sent to the hospital for breathing difficulties while a youth sprained his ankle after his foot was stomped by other fans.
More than 4,000 fans thronged the ticket counters, forming a 1km-long queue.
Some 5,000 tickets were allocated for the district with each fan only allowed to buy two tickets.
In Kuantan, tempers flared among fans at the Darul Makmur Stadium, but police managed to defuse the situation. Eight ticket counters, including a special one for women, were only opened at 10am although some had camped in front of the counters since Wednesday night.
“It was quite chaotic when some of the fans climbed from the side of the counters to buy the tickets. Luckily, there was a dedicated counter for women,” said Siti Zamirah Ismail of Kempadang Makmur here.
The 22-year-old said some went home empty-handed as the allocated 15,000 tickets were sold out within two hours.
A total of 90,000 tickets were on sale for the final. Pahang and JDT received 40,000 tickets each.
The remaining 10,000 were sold online through www.tickethotline.com.my. Tickets were sold at RM40. For children below 12, it was priced at RM5 each. No tickets will be sold on match day.
Pahang made the finals with a 6-3 aggregate win over Kedah, while Super League champions JDT won 6-5 on aggregate against Felda.
In Johor Baru, ticket sales at the Tan Sri Datuk Haji Hassan Yunos Stadium in Larkin for JDT fans and supporters saw thousands thronging the counters, waiting their turn to buy the tickets.
Most of the tickets were sold out within a few hours, but reports emerged that scalpers were offering match day tickets at between RM80 and RM110 each.
As the big day approached, supporters of both teams believed that their respective team would prevail.
Pahang supporters hoped their team would repeat last year’s history of winning the cup.
“Pahang will win over JDT with a 2-1 score. Based on their performances in previous matches, I think there should not be any problem for Pahang,” said Azizul Mohd from Jengka.
Awal Azman from Temerloh hoped to see the Elephants lift the trophy for the fourth time.
“JDT also showed good potential but I believe Pahang have their own strategy to win the match at 2-0,” he predicted.
JDT fans, however, believed their team would beat the Elephants.
“JDT have outstanding players so the other team should be ready to face a 3-0 loss,” said Heereda Nor.
Nazlee Osman believed that glory was within the Tigers’ grasp.
“The tigers will devour the elephants. JDT showed a good condition through the matches before and this Saturday, the team will give us a win.”
Kick-off is at 8.45pm. Additional reporting by Mangalarupini Muniandy