FIELD REPORT : SELANGOR VS PERAK
(SHAH ALAM STADIUM, 16 APRIL 2011)

I have been to countless Selangor -Terengganu and a few Selangor- Kelantan before, but last weekend was the first time I went to a Selangor-Perak game. Never thought I will ever be in that situation but there I was. My inaugural Perak game also gave me the chance to see Silver State Ultras (SSU) live in action for the first time. I already watched pioneer state ultras, UltraSel and Ultras Nogori in action before, and SSU, as a major branch of the ever-growing Ultras Malaya group, really held their own comparatively. For an away game, they turned up in force both in term of numbers and intensity that matched the notorious host, UltraSel. Really a force to be reckon with. Something smaller and newer ultras group can look up for in inspiration and direction.

That was not my only 'first' in my Shah Alam stadium going experience that night. That night was also the first time I have to park my car deep in the away side parking lot. Significantly different to my usual Selangor-Terengganu or Selangor-T-team leisurely hassles free stadium parking routine. The parking lot was totally filled to the brim with the northern state plated cars and buses. That was also the first time I arrived at the back of 30-man- length queue at the ticket counter 15 minutes from kickoff. That was not because the lack of counters open as there were about 5-6 opened at the main entrance that time which usually enough for you to buy tickets with hardly any queue at all on normal matches. My booth was even manned by FAS treasurer and FAM Committee member S. Sivasundaram himself.

It was a totally splendid attendance for the away side. The northerners were still high from their breast-pounding home win versus Kelantan in the last match and they brought that high spirit here to Shah Alam. With one annoying 'red' team already tumbled, humbling another cocky 'red' will complete the ego-culmination. Even as a neutral, I could feel the electricity in the air.

This match was billed as the top-of the table clash. Although the intense atmosphere reflected that, it was not entirely technically true. Albeit with one game more, the incumbent top-of-table team Terengganu FA did not involved in the match. And if that brawl between the second and third team resulted in a draw, Terengganu would occupy the league top position for at least another week. And if there should be a winner, the lesser evil would be for me to root for the slightly underdog Perak than the league champions Selangor due to points reason. Oh. I might need to explain to you that I am a Terengganu supporter true and true and does not intend to be neutral about that throughout this article.

Shah Alam away side on the right-hand side of the grand stand has been a ‘home’ section of sort for me for a while now. But judging from the Perak fans turn-out I expect no empty seat at that section so close to kickoff. So for the first time ever, again, I headed for the home section on the left side of the grand stand which turned out to be a right decision. The sight of Perak fans filling up the away section, all the way until the portion behind the goal was magnificent. Comparable to the reputable Kelantan’s fans who are the undisputable benchmark for away supporting. They sat very compact, active and very loud spearheaded by SSU crews positioned among the crowd.

I on the other hand felt rather disappointed with the Selangor fans turnout. Undeniably more than normal matches, but I was more expecting it to be something close to those Kelantan matches. They also create a significant gap to distance themselves from the passionate and active UltraSel crew. From an outsider point of view, the impression was that the Perak fans were more sporting and cooperative than the normal Selangor fans. I was guilty of over-expecting I guess. Still a rather long way in-road to go, but what sight it will be when they reach there.

As any other live stadium matches, I cannot really comment in term of matches in detail compare to TV matches. You don’t have the luxury of commentary, close-ups and replays. A start-list would be mighty useful too, especially to recognize the rather un-familiar young Perak players. It’s a struggle for me to identify Perak players outside the distinguishable Akmal Rizal, Nasril Nourdin and Nanthakumar. No such problem with the Selangor team though. I probably know their team more than my own team Terengganu. You know what they say. Keep your friends close, but keep your enemy closer.

The most glaring point you see in the Selangor starting lineup was the sight of Amri Yahya. Like all habitual winners, the Selangor captain is a bad-loser. You can sense the annoyance boiling up in him in the end when Selangor lost at home to T-team last week. As a reaction to a tackle, he threw a ball in fury, but mostly frustration, toward the opponent, earning him a rather necessary early shower to cool off. As he was then consequently suspended for the last match versus Felda, that match versus Perak would be the perfect stage for him to make due and release his frustration. The ‘Seladangs’ knew they have to be extra careful to deal with the extra motivated Selangor man.

The first half was all what you expected from a top of the table clash. It was a cautious, cagey performance from both side but very much exciting as the game was played in high pace. Both sets of fans were glued to their seats. Perak shot the first salvo in term of goalmouth action early in the first half when Selangor keeper pushed a shot direct to a Perak player. With the keeper in no-man’s land, the Perak man tried to place the ball into the top corner but the ball just didn’t have enough bent in it and went just wide. After that Perak can only make-scrap with harmless long shots that most of the time wide off the mark. Selangor then took their turn to dominate through the flanks with P. Gunalan and Asrarudin combining on the left and Amri and Amirul Hadi creating space on the right. But a combination of poor centering decision and failure to connect by the man in the center made sure the first half ended with a fair 0-0 draw. So far so good for me.

At half time, I scrambled to get my half time stadium nasi lemak. And I was not alone. The normally empty kiosks at the second tier of the stand were mobbed by hungry northern people. I was lucky to secure 2 packets for me and the missus and, deep inside, I felt happy for the business made by the shorthanded Pakcik Nasi Lemak.

In the second half, Selangor turned the screw on the game by dominating the midfield. The ever dependable Nanthakumar were overworked to contain the interchangeable Azidan and Safiq Rahim. The young Perak midfielders did try to exert passion and drive in their play but easily made isolated and handled by the experienced Selangor defense. This left Perak’s dangerman, Akmal Rizal, totally nullified. Despite that, he did manage to use his trademark close control to create one shooting chance that went uncharacteristically wide.

Amirul Hadi continued with his usual energetic bombardment on the right and, a couple of times, Asrarudin manage to create time and space on the left but his centering were often disappointing. Amri Yahya also put extra gear on his marquee daft touches and mazy run to dictate Selangor midfield. His stride to pick up pace to chase every long ball signals what standards he expected from his teammates, truly leading by example.

Hardi Jaafar then substituted in for Asrarudin and almost immediately made his mark. His free-kick rattled the cross bar gave the stranded Nasril Nourdin sigh of relieve. But not for long. After a long period of pressure, the Perak defense finally buckled. At around the 70th minute, Amri Yahya create something out of nothing using his tricky daft touches to centre a ball from a covered angle, right through a wall of Perak players, finding Safiq Rahim who beautifully place it on Nasril’s right hand corner.

Subconsciously, all the Selangor Fans stood up in unison with goal, even the makcik sitting in front of me, which really took me by surprise. Actually, we were the only ones who did not stand in that section. Pretty much give away who we are supporting by then. The elaborate celebration by Safiq Rahim fairly summed up what the Selangor fans felt at that exact moment. Poetic explosion of relief and joy. The sight of Red and Yellow flag waved from afar by Selangor fans opposite the grand stand section create an illusion of an mighty inferno as if to taunt and reminds me why Shah Alam is considered as hell for many visiting teams. Que “Barisan Kita” beat by SSFC drum crew which was sang with all its glory by the Selangor fans.

Perak’s response was by bringing in the notorious Razali Umar Kandasamy in place of Shafiq Jamal. His discipline issues were well documented but he has long history with Perak and the crowd loves him which explained the standing ovation. But the plan backfired as the desperate and broken Perak team only resorted to long balls towards Razali, which most of the time, easily intercepted by the experienced Selangor defense, who then catapulted counter attacks using the pace of Amirul Hadi and Amri Yahya. Perak was exactly at the corner where Selangor wants them.

As it turned out, there was really very little Perak can do to turn the tide with the time remaining. As the referee blew the final whistle, the Perak team slammed to their knees. The team who held the tag of the only unbeaten team in the league just 3 games before has now lost twice since then. They gave their all no doubt. Yet, this time, the breaks were not in their favor. Spirited and gutsy performances still not enough. Their resolve was broken. They have failed their fans.

Then, an extraordinary scene unfolded. Rather bizarrely, most of Perak fans, the loser of the round, still hold firm in their position after the final whistle was blown. Comparatively, in 15 minutes, Selangor section of the stands, the victors, already practically empty. Typically, if you travelled away 250km south to support your team, only to be paid by a loss, you will feel downhearted and question the relevance doing it at all. A typical Malaysian football fans will curse their team to no end while citing whatever expenses made as if the team owes them something. But the Perak fans at Shah Alam stadium that night put the defeat aside and stood up, raised their hand, chin and shoulders, and started to chant. They jump up and down waving their hands to signal for the players to notice them. As if they wanted to tell them players “Don’t worry about us. You have given your all. And by that, we will always cover your back.”.

Seeing the good spirit of the fans lifted the spirit of the players again. And they began acknowledging the fans. By that alone, all the expense made to support their team seems justified. One player, I think it was RUK, walked towards the fan and hand over some mineral water as a sign of gratitude. By that, a bond between players and fans was sealed which was celebrated and cheered loudly by the fans. The chant “Ipoh Mali Talak Sombong” seems perfectly timed for the occasion. Before the players returned to the dressing room, they first made a victory lap on all the sections of the Perak fans in the stadium to thank them for coming down to support them and probably a way to own up and apologize for the defeat. The fans replied by clapping and chanting. The spirit was so high that someone might have mistaken them for the winners. The gradual shutting down of the stadium flood-lights only managed to shift the chanting fiesta from inside to outside of the stadium. They might have lost the match that night. But they are victors in team-fan camaraderie. Something made aware to the looking Selangor players whose fans already went home.

Thinking about this made me smile as I started my long walk towards the car. A Selangor win probably was my worst case scenario for my team. Selangor is now at the top of the league with 2 points lead over my team Terengganu. Base on previous years’ experience, when Selangor fully focused in their element and starts breaking away from the pack, they will be mighty hard to catch. But even so, seeing a new spirit of fans who truly support their team, not only when they win, but also dig deep to support them when they lost really put my mood in perspective that night. Even though for Terengganu and Perak sake, we lost the match, Malaysian football is gaining ground in pulling out and generating high quality group of supporters who support their team for who they are and not just being cynically result oriented as a pre-condition for their loyalty. That alone made me felt like a winner.

-aressandro10-