Malaysia Insider | Kelantan Vs Negeri Sembilan, The Update

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Kelantan Vs Negeri Sembilan, The Update

So the Malaysia Cup for season 2009 has ended. With Negeri Sembilan astounding victory over Kelantan, 3-1. Anticipated by some, unacceptable to others.

It was all shame to Kelantan, being defeated by a big gap is bearable, but to have all hell broke loose after the third goal was just too much. The game itself is nothing in particular, the true feat is the presence of an extraordinary number of Kelantan fans, the Red Warriors, almost at 75:25 ratio against Negeri Sembilan’s. An estimation of 75,000 of Kelantan supporters flocked National Bukit Jalil Stadium as early as 3.00 pm ( the game itself only started about 6 hours later). Some even congregated since early morning to create sporadic pockets of red spreading around the stadium. Those that turned out early probably had traveled a night before from hometown Kelantan about 500km away from Kuala Lumpur.

When it comes to soccer, Kelantanese fans are notoriously known for their unrestrained behavior, usually when their team is losing the game. Among many races in Malaysia, the Kelantanese (96% of Malay origin) stand out from the crowd with their own exclusive Malay dialect that has evolved far from the language standard pronunciation. In general, Kelantanese are connected by strong sense of solidarity. This is not inclusive of just Kelantan’s Malay, the Chinese and Indian living in rural Kelantan are affected as well. It is not uncommon for Chinese or Indian in Kelantan to have Malay call name, and they speak fluently in local Kelantan dialect, sometimes undistinguishable with other Malay.

Back to Malaysian soccer, Kelantan FC has faced it worst lost yet; for losing the game, for being the sore loser, and for definitely to be fined by Football Association of Malaysia (FAM). The already financially difficult team is about to hit rock bottom.

Kudos to Negeri Sembilan team, for a good gameplay and for being a momma’s boy crowd.