Thousands of fans welcome return of JDT heroes

The excitement of Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) in lifting the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup on Saturday continues to spill over as thousands of football supporters flooded Dataran Bandaraya Johor Bharu Tuesday night to welcome the return of their heroes from Tajikistan.

Even though the ceremony was to begin at 8pm, thousands of Southern Tigers fans were seen converging at the square as early as 5pm.

Present at the celebration were Johor Football Association (PBNJ) president Datuk Ismail Karim, PBNJ Treasurer Datuk Abd Latif Bandi and State Legislative Assembly Speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Aziz.

Among the thousands of supporters was former deputy prime minister and Pagoh MP Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Earlier, the bus carrying JDT players with the AFC Cup paraded several areas to show off their latest victory ware.

The procession began at 8pm from the Tan Sri Hassan Yunos Stadium at Larkin to the Jalan Tun Razak-Jalan Wong Ah Fook-Kompleks Galleria@Kotaraya-Lot 1-Sultanah Aminah Hospital and turned back to the Istana Bukit Serene arch before finally ending at Dataran Bandaraya in Johor Bharu.

In the final at Republican Central Stadium in Dushanbe, Tajikistan on Oct 31, JDT which were also Super League champions made history in the local football scene when they edged Tajikistan League defending champions FC Istiklol, 1-0.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ismail said the Johor Government would be rewarding the squad soon in recognition of their AFC Cup victory.

"I am also thankful to the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar for his support and presence to witness the final in Tajikistan.

"We are also very thankful to the Tunku Mahkota of Johor, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim who created a football phenomenon in the country," he said.