SPORTS
Festive mood at Shah Alam Stadium for Malaysia Cup final
Areas surrounding the Shah Alam Stadium have transformed into a festive site with thousands of Selangor and Kedah fans (pix) gathering since 1pm, for the Malaysia Cup final tonight. -Pix courtesy of KSAH8387 group
Areas surrounding the Shah Alam Stadium have transformed into a festive site with thousands of Kedah and Selangor fans gathering since 1pm, for the Malaysia Cup final tonight.
A Bernama observation found the influx of supporters of both teams flooding into the stadium compound which was filled with dozens of stalls hawking football t-shirts, souvenirs and food.
A jersey trader, who wished to be identified only as Ghani, said business was good as he had sold out his stocks yesterday, and replenished them this morning.
"Thank God, sales were good yesterday despite the keen competition from several stalls selling similar stuff, Selangor and Kedah t-shirts and jerseys.
"Before yesterday, business was slow, and I am happy the pace picked up yesterday," said the 51-year-old who has been selling local football team t-shirts for several years.
As for Ramlah, 45, a food hawker, she has been in the business at the Shah Alam Stadium with her husband, Abdullah, 53, for quite sometime.
For the couple from Kuala Selangor, business has been good so far.
"I cannot remember how long we have been trading at the stadium but sales and profits have been good," said Ramlah who sold keropok, burgers and soft drinks.
Meanwhile, Kedah supporter Khairul Amri Mohamad, 34, of Sungai Petani who arrived in Shah Alam yesterday hoped the Red Eagles would end their seven-year wait to lift the Malaysia Cup after their last victory in 2008 in which they beat Selangor 3-2 at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
"I could not attend the match in 2008 as I was studying abroad, but this time, I got my ticket early to watch this big match."
Also sharing similar sentiments was Shah Alam resident, Ahmad Anas Marzuki, 25, a student at a private university in Subang Jaya, who hoped Selangor would fulfill their 'Mission 33' which they had been waiting for so long.
"Before this, I preferred to watch at home but on the insistence of my friends, I am coming to give my support for Selangor," he said.
A Bernama observation found the influx of supporters of both teams flooding into the stadium compound which was filled with dozens of stalls hawking football t-shirts, souvenirs and food.
A jersey trader, who wished to be identified only as Ghani, said business was good as he had sold out his stocks yesterday, and replenished them this morning.
"Thank God, sales were good yesterday despite the keen competition from several stalls selling similar stuff, Selangor and Kedah t-shirts and jerseys.
"Before yesterday, business was slow, and I am happy the pace picked up yesterday," said the 51-year-old who has been selling local football team t-shirts for several years.
As for Ramlah, 45, a food hawker, she has been in the business at the Shah Alam Stadium with her husband, Abdullah, 53, for quite sometime.
For the couple from Kuala Selangor, business has been good so far.
"I cannot remember how long we have been trading at the stadium but sales and profits have been good," said Ramlah who sold keropok, burgers and soft drinks.
Meanwhile, Kedah supporter Khairul Amri Mohamad, 34, of Sungai Petani who arrived in Shah Alam yesterday hoped the Red Eagles would end their seven-year wait to lift the Malaysia Cup after their last victory in 2008 in which they beat Selangor 3-2 at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
"I could not attend the match in 2008 as I was studying abroad, but this time, I got my ticket early to watch this big match."
Also sharing similar sentiments was Shah Alam resident, Ahmad Anas Marzuki, 25, a student at a private university in Subang Jaya, who hoped Selangor would fulfill their 'Mission 33' which they had been waiting for so long.
"Before this, I preferred to watch at home but on the insistence of my friends, I am coming to give my support for Selangor," he said.