Ultras vow to propel Tigers into the next round
by Shamir Osman

KUALA LUMPUR - He suffered a concussion and a fractured arm for his part in a scuffle with security personnel at the Jalan Besar Stadium last Saturday, but that will not keep Freddy Fitri away from the Bukit Jalil Stadium on Thursday.

Malaysia have to overcome a 5-3 first leg deficit in the second round of the World Cup qualifier to make the third round for the first time - and fracture notwithstanding, 28-year-old Freddy will brave bumper-to-bumper traffic to lend his voice to K Rajagobal's Tigers as a member of the independent fan club, Ultras Malaya.

"To be an Ultra you have to be insane, and that's what we bring in support of our team: A strong, deep, insane passion. I have no doubt it will be a full house at Bukit Jalil, and we will turn it into a cauldron," he vowed.

"What we showed at Jalan Besar was just the tip of the iceberg. This is home and it's going to be louder, stronger and I assure you the noise won't stop."

Jumping up and down, with swinging scarves and waving flags, the 1,000-strong Ultras drowned out Singapore fans intermittently last Saturday, and there was some trouble in the stands after Shi Jiayi scored Singapore's fourth goal just before half-time.

Paper cups and other items flew from the section where Freddy was seated, and that was where he got hurt, remonstrating to security personnel that they pointed the finger at the wrong people.

He insists travelling Singapore fans will not have to fear any violence.

"We are there to support our team with our voice, banners and choreography, we don't intend any violence, but sometimes things go wrong when we are provoked," he told Today.

"We travelled to Taiwan and to Singapore to support our team ... we want to see them qualify and we're going to make Bukit Jalil feel like a home ground should.

"Singapore beat us 5-3 there, let's see what they can do here." Shamir Osman

Tigers' Ultras vow to turn Bukit Jalil into 'hell'
By Lee Min Kok


Malaysia's die-hard fans, who call themselves Ultras, showing their support in the World Cup first-leg qualifier against Singapore at Jalan Besar Stadium on Saturday. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE


COME on in Singapore, we will make the Bukit Jalil Stadium a living hell for you.

It is a promise the Malaya Ultras have every intention of keeping come Thursday, when Singapore face Causeway rivals Malaysia in the second leg of their 2014 World Cup second-round qualifier.

Known for their fanatical support of the Tigers, the Ultras lived up to their fearsome reputation at the 6,000-seater Jalan Besar Stadium on Saturday.

Clad in black T-shirts with yellow scarves wrapped around their necks, they arrived at the stadium around 1.30pm - six hours before the game - and made their rounds chanting 'Harimau Malaya' and brandishing their scarves in unison.

Despite being outnumbered, they still left a lasting impression on Lions fans seated in the gallery just next to the 300-strong contingent.

Said Lawrence Seetoh, a 38-year-old interior designer: 'They proved that fans can become the 12th man for the team.'