Jakarta Casual

Despite over 5,000 tickets being made available to Malaysian fans for last night’s opening group match against Indonesia in Jakarta it’s probably fair to say that not were snapped by fans eager to make the short trip south of the equator just to be roundly abused.

A couple of dozen did front up in the visitors enclosure and they were soon id’d by Indonesian fans on the terrace above and welcomed with a round of boos that soon cascaded round the stadium. The fans, who tried to unfurl a Malaysian flag were moved down to the front of the pen while a couple of cops formed a shield between them and the rowdy home supporters above.

A couple of suited officials started gesticulating pitch side and the home supporters moved to one side from where they could still abuse the visiting fans but couldn’t throw any missiles at them.

Later the tiny Malaysian support was moved to another section of the ground where they sat anonymously, wishing they’d stayed home as they watched their team get white washed 5-1.

But at least they showed.

And fair play to the security officials who nipped any potential disorder in the bud immediately, quietly and efficiently.

# posted by Me @ 6:51 PM