Die-hard fans turn up to support Harimau Malaya against Laos despite Ultras Malaya boycott call.
DESPITE the call by Ultras Malaya (UM) to boycott Harimau Malaya’s second Group B match of the 2026 ASEAN Cup against Laos tonight, some die-hard supporters still made time to turn up at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium in Cheras here to show their support.
Although the stadium was not filled to capacity and the atmosphere was less vibrant without the reverberating chants from Ultras Malaya, some supporters still turned up to provide encouragement to the squad coached by interim head coach Tan Cheng Hoe, believing that players should not be made victims of the turmoil affecting the country’s football.
For private sector employee Raja Muhammad Faiz Raja Jamalizan, 24, issues off the pitch should not affect support for the players as they need the presence of fans at the stadium.
“As far as my friends and I are concerned, there is no need to boycott. If we don’t support our players, who will?” he said when met at the stadium compound before the 9pm kickoff.
Meanwhile, another fan, 39-year-old Syazwani Sardon, showed that her support for Harimau Malaya had never wavered by attending the match despite being six months pregnant.
She also hopes that more supporters would fill the stadium for the final match against the Philippines on Aug 8.
Earlier, Ultras Malaya, in a statement on social media, urged supporters to stay away from all Harimau Malaya matches until the issues affecting Malaysian football are resolved.
In January, all members of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) Executive Committee for the 2025-2029 term collectively and voluntarily tendered their resignations. The decision was made unanimously, taking into account organisational responsibility and without regard to personal interests or positions. It was deemed as a prudent and principled step taken in light of the current situation that has drawn public attention over issues involving heritage players, and aimed at safeguarding the integrity of FAM.
Malaysia are currently in second place in Group B of the ASEAN Cup with three points, trailing leaders Thailand, who have a better goal difference, after both teams recorded victories in their opening matches. The Philippines sit in third place, while Myanmar and Laos occupy the bottom two positions without any points.
