JOHOR BARU: Shouts of "Ole, ole, ole" and spontaneous roars of "Oh Johor, Luaskan Kuasamu", lyrics from popular songs of fans of the Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) football club were heard in mamak restaurants and special gatherings such as the one held at Dataran Bandaraya when the club emerged as champions of the Malaysia Cup on Saturday night.
A 3,000-strong crowd clapped and cheered as they gathered at Restoran E&Y Sahul in Adda Heights, a popular hangout spot for JDT fans to watch matches on the big screen each time their favourite team played.
The screams were deafening when the final whistle was blown.
Fans drummed on metal tables and chairs when the JDT players lifted up the coveted Malaysia Cup, ending a 26-year wait for Johor, who had previously won the cup in 1991.
Restoran E&Y Sahul owner Sahul Hameed Yacoob, 42, said he was ecstatic that Johor won the cup, and he was honoured to host so many fans who packed his restaurant in the special occassion.
"The place was overflowing with fans, including families with children all decked in JDT jerseys with cars parked up to a kilometre away.
"Thankfully we had traffic police to help control the flow of vehicles," he said.
Sahul said he predicted that JDT would win as the club have very good players and had good leadership under its owner, Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.
"We even gave away JDT jerseys, boots, mufflers and caps as a way to celebrate the victory with the fans," said Sahul.
Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar was among the first to congratulate the club on its victory with a poster uploaded on his official Facebook page.
"Congratulations JDT, Malaysia Cup 2017 champions. We are proud of you," read the poster.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak also took to Twitter to congratulate the winning team.
"Good game! Congratulations champions, JDT," said Najib.
Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin were among many state leaders who travelled to Shah Alam to watch the match live.
Khaled had predicted on Friday that JDT would clinch the trophy with a 2-0 score against Kedah.
Abbas Saad, one of the players who played for Johor when it last won the Malaysia Cup in 1991, had also made known which team he was supporting before last night's match.
He posted a photo of himself wearing a blue JDT jersey and uploaded it on Instagram with a caption: "You can do it JDT & join the Class of 1991."
It will also be a holiday for Johor on Sunday as state secretary Datuk Azmi Rohani had a few days ago announced a special holiday for the state in the event that JDT won the Malaysia Cup.
Meanwhile, hundreds of people, who gathered at Dataran Bandaraya Johor Baru, braved the rain and continued watching the final match on a big screen.
Many people were seen taking out their umbrellas when it started to pour several minutes after the game started.
Cars and motorcycles stopped by the road side near the square just to catch glimpses of the latest score of the match
JDT completed a collection of titles in the M-League when they overcame Kedah 2-0 in the Malaysia Cup final at Shah Alam Stadium with defender Aidil Zafuan Radzak and Argentine Gonzalo Cabrera scoring a goal in each half of the match.