DOHA: Tension reached a near boiling point among fans before the Asian Cup Group E clash between Malaysia and Bahrain at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium here on Saturday.
The presence of Ultras Malaya, Malaysia's supporters group, garnered attention as they paraded and sang before entering the stadium.
A potentially heated situation unfolded when a Bahraini fan tried to instigate trouble in the stadium area, provoking Malaysian supporters and disrupting the Ultras Malaya group.
Fortunately, he was promptly asked to leave the area.
No further incidents occurred, and Ultras Malaya, also known as 'Ekor Harimau Malaya,' continued their chants in support of the national team. Malaysia, who lost 4-0 to Jordan on Monday, must beat Bahrain to revive their chances of progressing to the last 16.