JDT, TFC supporters making a beeline to National Stadium in Bukit Jalil

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 10 (Bernama) -- The stage is all set for a thrilling 2022 FA Cup final between Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) and Terengganu FC (TFC) tonight as fans from both teams began converging on the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.

What is interesting is that some of the supporters began turning up as early as noon to lend their support to their respective teams.

Forty-eight-year-old Che Mat Hamzah, a TFC supporter from Dungun, said he and his family arrived at the stadium as early as 11.30 am in a bid to beat the expected traffic congestion.

"I don't mind coming early, what's important is to see the FA Cup returning to Terengganu. Having not lifted the trophy for so long, I'm confident this time our dream will come true," he told Bernama.

TFC last won the FA Cup in 2011 after beating Kelantan 2-1 in the final.

JDT fan Hidayat Tarmizi, 34, said this is his second trip to the stadium after the 2021 Malaysia Cup final, in which his team lost 2-0 to Kuala Lumpur City FC.

Hidayat, who took advantage of the school holidays to bring his wife and two children from Mersing, hopes that luck will favour JDT and they will be able to clinch the FA Cup a second time since 2016 when they edged PKNS FC 2-1 in the final.

It looks tonight's final has not only attracted fans from the two finalists.

Selangor FC supporter Danial Zainudin, 27, of Petaling Jaya, is one of them although his team failed to reach the final.

"I believe both the finalists will put on a strong performance tonight," he said.

A number of spectators were also seen entering the stadium when the gates opened at 5 pm although the kickoff for the final is at 9 pm.

In addition to the FA Cup final, the area surrounding the stadium was also buzzing with other activities, including a concert by a popular band from Indonesia at the Axiata Arena and a fun fair.

-- BERNAMA