Have you any idea what life is like for a Terengganu fan? | #KaranganBolaSepak
Have you any idea what life is like for a Terengganu fan? | #KaranganBolaSepak by BahasBolaMY
Have you any idea what life is like for a Terengganu fan? The constant hope and anticipation. The endless hours of travel, back to Kemaman, that slowly eats into your soul and crushes whatever’s left of your weekend. And all the while, sweat is pouring down the crack of your bottom because you can’t afford to fix the bloody air-conditioning in your miserable old Proton Satria.
Have you any idea what life is like for a Terengganu fan? It’s the beginning of the month. You bought a chocolate bun when you last filled up your car with petrol. Bits of the chocolate cream landed on your beloved Terengganu home kit, and you have yet to pay the rent for the house. It’s 7PM, you’re speeding to the stadium. You’re on a budget of RM50, it’s pouring with rain, and you’re in Marang, which is Tolkien's equivalent of Mordor.
Have you any idea what life is like for a Terengganu fan? Born to a Singaporean mum and dad in 1980, I was brought up as a fan of the Dream Team (Singapore). But since the Lions XII are no longer invited to compete in Malaysian football competitions, I should have been supporting the state where I was born - Johor Darul Takzim. But I didn't. I supported Terengganu instead. Quite how this happened, I have no idea. And not having an idea, is probably how Terengganu fans live through this torment every weekend. In the course of time, a Terengganu fan would develop a sense of blindness or numbness. The exact same peculiarity that makes a person flake out into becoming a devoted lover.
Have you any idea what life is like for a Terengganu fan? During the dying minutes of the 2018 Malaysia Cup final against Perak, I was, medically speaking, in the throes of a massive coronary attack. My heart stopped when Brendan Gan scored the equalizer in stoppage time. I found myself sprawled on the floor, sobbing to my wife. I thought the hate which I developed for the referee that very night was resolute. But this was something else. My body brewed a whole new chemical compound for this one. When the TV showed the slow-motion replay of the goal, I really and truly wanted to smash Brendan's beautiful face with a shovel. For weeks, I lie awake at night dreaming up new and imaginative ways of making him pay. But the hatred is never abiding. I have a gigantic respect and admiration for Brendan Gan. The horror only creeps in when he's on the opposition side. Especially when is he seen running on the pitch glowing and brimming with an irritating form.
Have you any idea what life is like for a Terengganu fan? At my age, when your weekends can go for months sex-less, being a Terengganu fan provides an alternate euphoria that can be equally orgasmic. A man with hardly any magnetism would become dependent on this high. And it came like a mob just as the 2020 season kicked off. Before the lockdown, Terengganu lost 1-3 to Perak, drew 3-3 with Selangor and won 3-4 against Kedah. They conceded a maddening 9 goals in mere 3 matches, but scored a whooping 8 goals as well. Which is currently the most number of goals scored right at this moment.
Terengganu may be stupidly expensive and horrid to support, but life as her fan is an amalgamation of different wonders of human emotions that trancends between the primaries of black and white. She reminds us that it's not just about the pursuit of glory, but the ability to cherish the romance en route.
Note from padangbolasepak.com: During the Restriction Movement Order 2020 Malaysia to combat Covid19 - Padangbolasepak.com encourages you from home to write essays about our beloved game of football. Can be anything. Why you fell in love with it? Your first game watching or playing? Friendships forged? Etc. Stars the limit.
500-1,000 / more words.
The objective is simple. Sharing the joy of football. Challenge you to write about the joy you may want to share. As well as keep you occupied and encourage to write. Provided that you have nothing else to do. Email us your essay with a photo attached at contact@padangbolasepak.com & we’ll post on the website as well on social media.
Thank you and take care brothers and sisters.