I went to the Korea-Iraq semifinal match of the on-going AFC Asian Cup 2007 at the National Stadium of Bukit Jalil on Wednesday night. It was an eye opener for me, really. Why is that so? I've been to lots of football matches but this one stood out to be the most memorable one, mainly because of their supporters, and of course the standard of football shown by both teams.
I believe many of us may be asking ourselves, why our national team, time and again fail to deliver? After witnessing that match myself, I think it's easier to understand why the Koreans have grown to be one of Asia's football power-house and they even reached the semi finals of the 2002 World Cup which was held in Korea-Japan.
A sea of red Korean supportersFrom my observation and in my opinion, their supporters play a major role. They come in numbers and they are very united in their support for their national heroes. Unlike Malaysian football, for the Koreans, a football match is a family outing. Men, women, boys and girls, kids, babies and some even brought their aged parents. All of them cheered and supported the Korean team whole heartedly. Parents holding their young ones, dancing, jumping and singing with the crowd. It's really pleasant to watch. For a moment it didn't seem to be a football match I was watching. Perhaps I was not used to it. It is certainly a very different football culture, one that we don't witness here in Malaysia. I believe as a football player, you will be much more fired up with that kind of support shown, which perhaps partly explained why the Koreans play better football.
AdorableBut then again, if we do the same to out national team, do you really think they will ever perform? We'll never know but of course they still need to buck up on their skills. LOL
5 comments:
I think our Malaysian football fans support our Malaysian team well enough.
The main trouble with our Malaysian sportsmen is that they are easily satisfied and do not try hard enough to achieve their very best. Or I could be mistaken, they might had already reached their best. Either way, it is indeed unfortunate for our Malaysian fans.
i beg to differ with kokwai, how often u see old auntie, grandmas chanting on malaysian football? NONE!!!
it is much male affairs when comes to football in malaysia... i wish to find a gf who can accompany me for EPL matches every week... :P
Maybe football is still young in our country leh. That's why we don't see any old people support.
Wait 20 years lor. When you are uncle that time, you can see auntie supports lor :)
I thought football is indeed a male affair wor. Girls usually look at the handsome players only, not at the football :P
If you can find someone with a face and style like beckham, you will find females from young to old flocking to our stadiums :))
Mick: if only i'm a girl hahaha
Kokwai: maybe 10 yrs back i shud've went for national team selection...then d scenario wud hav been diff today...gals flocking d stadium like u said...hahaha just kidding
Yup, you should had went for National Team selection, then we will see old auntie, grandmas chanting on Malaysian football. :))
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