ISKANDAR PUTERI – More than 400 Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) supporters turned up at Sireh Park here last night to watch their beloved team take on Selangor for the 2022 Malaysia Cup final.
Last night’s event at the recreational park, located some 322km away from the Bukit Jalil National Stadium where the game was being played, was sponsored by Iskandar Puteri City Council.
With the Johor state government earlier having announced today as a state holiday due to JDT’s success in advancing into last night’s final, coupled with the public holiday on Monday as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Johoreans now have a four-day weekend.
Hence, it was not surprising to see parents bringing their children to the event, turning it into a family occasion, with some families playing bubbles just beside the big LCD-screen installed at the park to telecast the game live, while several children were also seen testing their driving skills at the mini go-kart track here.
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Despite being miles away from the venue, and after being stunned following Selangor’s goal in the first half, the crowd here was able to celebrate when JDT equalised just before the half-time whistle by the match official.
A total 17 prize hampers and several valuable electronics goods, including an air-fryer, an induction cooker, and a 32in flat screen television, were also handed out to lucky winners through a lucky draw contest.
JDT scored again in the second half, which was greeted with loud cheers from the crowd here.
As the score remained 2-1 in favour of the Southern giant, the crowd, which remained seated the entire match, celebrated the win once the final whistle was blown.
To complete the night, JDT fan Ali Martopo from Pontian returned home with a brand new flat screen television after he was announced as the main prize winner of the event’s lucky draw.
“Congratulations JDT and also a very big thank you to the Iskandar Puteri City Council and Sireh Park for organising this event.
“I came to this event together with my family from Pontian to support JDT, but I didn’t imagine I would be this lucky to bring home the grand prize,” said the 42-year-old.
The prize was handed to Ali by Iskandar Puteri City Council councillor Mohd Faiz Abdullah.
Meanwhile, Sireh Park’s operations and maintenance manager Zakaria Baharuddin thanked the Iskandar Puteri City Council for choosing the park as the event location.
“We welcome all Johoreans and, in particular, Iskandar Puteri residents, to visit our park together with their families again.” – The Vibes, November 27, 2022
