Old Writings: Romanticising Malaysian Football

Disclaimer: The following is an old blog post from 2013 written by Brother Khal

Ever since we won the AFF Suzuki Cup back 2010. It was a wake up call to me, an angry voice telling me: "Hey go watch Malaysian football for a change!" It started me to start watching and paying attention to the local football scene. I should have listen to that voice a long time ago.

Ever since I couldn't bear missing one televised game or not following updates via social media. May it be the under-23 games or the first team. When the opportunity came to watch them live defending the illustrious tittle of champions of ASEAN. I couldn't give up the opportunity. Win, lose or draw I will stay until the official blew the final whistle.

Looking back at the pictures, youtube videos, repeated matches on television or even in a conversation with a friend, family member or a stranger. I can't help but feeling a little nostalgic of the whole experience during the AFF Suzuki Cup. Malaysians together supporting those eleven on the pitch.

There were some sour notes for me, which I have to bring up. I believe that Bukit Jalil needs to be re-developed for the better of the fans. The traffic flow in and around the stadium is horrible. There should be proper coordinations of people moving in and out of the stadium, before, during or after a game.

Proper facilities need to be re-new like the toilets, prayer room, trashcans and others. Phone coverage in and around the stadium telco companies please take note.

I do appreciate the effort of having good number of policemen around the stadium to keep supporters safe from any troublemakers.

The thing I am quite displease about a handful of supporters is politics, as much as I hate it, please don't bring political parties flag during a football game and waving it regardless of what political side they are from. The only flag I enjoy see waving around a football stadium is the Jalur Gemilang.

I hope in the upcoming Asian Cup Qualifiers, FAM will allow Bukit Jalil to host our home games. Only way I could see this happening if fans make some initiative to max out over at least half of the maximum capacity of the stadium.

There is an interesting statistic going on. Ever since 2010, anytime Malaysia max out the capacity of any stadium they host games. Harimau Malaya will never lose in front of a sold out crowd. Why don't we spare some time for them and help them along the way to achieve mission 2015