Datuk K. Rajagopal was a disappointed man yesterday but not by the 6-3 defeat to Liverpool in a friendly at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
The national team manager had asked the Malaysian fans to come in blue, the national team’s colour for the day, as a show of support for his players but all he saw was a sea of red.
“I have no objections to the fans supporting their favourite team. But it is only for one day. Is it too much to ask?” said Rajagopal.
Out of the 80,000 capacity crowd, only a few hundreds came in blue. And some of them were seen wearing yellow, also the national team colours.
For the die-hard Liverpool fans, it was a real party for them.
Watching Liverpool for the first time in Malaysia, they came as early as 11am for the 5.45pm match. They occupied themselves by singing You’ll Never Walk Alone, hanging Liverpool banners around the stadium and blaring their horns and drums. Cameras were clicking away throughout the game.
One banner with the wordings – Malaysian by Birth, Kop by choice – was seen in the stands. A giant Liverpool jersey was also passed around the stadium.
Not to be outdone, some die-hard fans of the national team also brought along their banners for the occasion. A giant Harimau Malaya banner was put up in the terrace.
For the fans, it was certainly money well spent. They saw nine goals, including a gem of a goal by Malaysian skipper Safiq Rahim.
At the end of the match, both the teams were given a standing ovation.
Liverpool paid tribute to the crowd by performing a lap of honour.
The national team manager had asked the Malaysian fans to come in blue, the national team’s colour for the day, as a show of support for his players but all he saw was a sea of red.
“I have no objections to the fans supporting their favourite team. But it is only for one day. Is it too much to ask?” said Rajagopal.
Out of the 80,000 capacity crowd, only a few hundreds came in blue. And some of them were seen wearing yellow, also the national team colours.
For the die-hard Liverpool fans, it was a real party for them.
Watching Liverpool for the first time in Malaysia, they came as early as 11am for the 5.45pm match. They occupied themselves by singing You’ll Never Walk Alone, hanging Liverpool banners around the stadium and blaring their horns and drums. Cameras were clicking away throughout the game.
One banner with the wordings – Malaysian by Birth, Kop by choice – was seen in the stands. A giant Liverpool jersey was also passed around the stadium.
Not to be outdone, some die-hard fans of the national team also brought along their banners for the occasion. A giant Harimau Malaya banner was put up in the terrace.
For the fans, it was certainly money well spent. They saw nine goals, including a gem of a goal by Malaysian skipper Safiq Rahim.
At the end of the match, both the teams were given a standing ovation.
Liverpool paid tribute to the crowd by performing a lap of honour.
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