KUALA LUMPUR: As the clock struck noon, Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) and Selangor fans were already setting up camp outside the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, eager to witness their teams clash in the highly anticipated FA Cup final.
Despite the match not kicking off until 9pm, dedicated supporters arrived up to 10 hours earlier to avoid congestion and soak in the vibrant atmosphere surrounding the final.
Observations by Timesport at 4pm revealed that both Southern Tigers and The Red Giants fans had already started to fill the area surrounding the stadium.
Nizam Subani, 43, a devoted JDT fan, left Tangkak with his wife and two children at 10am to ensure they arrived with plenty of time to spare.
"I got here at 1pm because I wanted to bring my family for a memorable experience.
"It's the first time my wife and kids are attending a final, and they're thrilled.
"This match against Selangor adds an extra layer of excitement. We missed seeing Selangor in the Charity Shield, so it's great to finally see them in action against JDT. We're hopeful but not overly confident about a win. I'm predicting a 2-1 victory for JDT," said Nizam.
On the other side, Selangor supporter Amirul Izam Mazrul Hisham from Templer Park expressed his enthusiasm for the match.
"I came early to fully experience the build-up to the FA Cup final. I'm excited to see Selangor take on JDT. I'm predicting a Selangor win, either 4-2 or 2-1," said Amirul, who is expecting to catch Faisal Halim in action even as a substitute.
With the stadium set to welcome over 80,000 spectators, the final promises to be a spectacular event for local football fans, marking a dream matchup between two of the M-League's most formidable teams.