ISKANDAR PUTERI – The Sultan Ibrahim Stadium here is “flooded” by the presence of supporters who want to witness the FA Cup final clash between Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) and Kuala Lumpur (KL) City FC tonight.
The stadium grounds began to be flooded with fans in a sea of red and blue and red and white as early as 3pm to wait for the entrances to the stadium to be opened to supporters from 5pm this afternoon.
JDT supporter Nurul Syafiqah M Sukir, 27, who is six months pregnant with her first child, was among those who stole the spotlight.
The operator at a factory from Batu Pahat, accompanied her husband Mohd Syafiq Mohd Yasin, 24, and family members to witness the match live.
“This is the first time I have come to Sultan Ibrahim Stadium…I am excited to be with my husband to watch this final match.
“I hope JDT can do their best and beat KL City FC at least 4-0,” she said when met at the stadium.
It was no different for KL City FC supporters from Wangsa Maju, Hazerah Khairul Anwar, 34, husband Farid Ikmal Shamsudin, 36, and their four children who also spent the night at a nearby hotel.
Hazerah hoped The City Boys would upset favourites JDT 2-0 as the team did during the Malaysia Cup final in 2021 at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, Kuala Lumpur.
“Our expectations are not too high for the final, but we as a family hope that KL City FC will be lucky and be able to surprise JDT 2-0,” she said.
The gates of the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium were opened to supporters starting at 5pm while the kick-off of the final was scheduled for 9pm.
Checks by Bernama found that police and stadium marshals were on duty to control security around the stadium, including ensuring that traffic ran smoothly.
JDT won the FA Cup last year after beating Terengganu FC 3-1 and PKNS FC 2-1 in 2016.
This is KL City FC's first FA Cup final after winning it in 1999. – Bernama, July 22, 2023
