I See More Red Shirts Than Face Masks!

On July 18, 2009 afternoon, everyone was heading to the same destination. To Bukit Jalil National Stadium we were all heading. Everyone was wearing red shirts. Number of H1N1 cases has been increasing each day. But for this day, I see more red shirts than people wearing face mask. What is H1N1 if Manchester United is coming to Kuala Lumpur!

I flew to Kuala Lumpur yesterday morning to catch the first stop of Manchester United Asia Tour 2009. It is Malaysia XI versus Manchester United. After checking into Tune Hotel, I made my journey to Bukit Jalil at around 1500. I decided to take the train after learning that there was a serious road traffic jam around Bukit Jalil during the Red Devils training session the day before. To my horror, I saw a huge crowd once I arrived at the train station!

Outside the train station

Queueing up for train tickets

I passed through!

I was squeezed to 1 corner inside the train!

I arrived at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium at around 1615. I saw sea of reds. Everyone was wearing red shirts except a few were spotted wearing Malaysia, Arsenal, Barcelona and other shirts. I felt like I was at Old Trafford! Everyone was beaming with excitement. Shall not blame us as the last time the Red Devils were here, it was back in 2001. You see, you may only get to see Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen in such a close range only once in your lifetime!

Coming out from the train

Coming down the staircase

Coming down the staircase

Fans heading out to the stadium

Outside the train station

Heading to the stadium

I felt like I was at Old Trafford!

Merchandise

Manchester United Asia Tour 2009 official merchandise

You can watch the following clips to experience the atmosphere outside Bukit Jalil National Stadim.

Big crowds flocked to the stadium

Big crowds flocked to the stadium

I managed to secure a nice seat just behind the goal. I entered the stadium via Yellow Gate. And my ticket is of RM 58. Never mind the cheap ticket, but the view is just nice. That was my first time inside the Bukit Jalil National Stadium. I was really impressed by the atmosphere of this state of art stadium! See for yourself in the following pictures.

Bukit Jalil National Stadium

Panorama view inside Bukit Jalil

The pitch

Spectator seats

Here is a clip showing the atmosphere inside Bukit Jalil.

Inside Bukit Jalil

Loud cheers came when emcee announced Manchester United’s line ups. The loudest cheers were reserved to players like Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs and Michael Owen. There was 1 point in the second half when fans started to cheer Michael Owen’s name. They obviously wanted to see him in action! From the second he was introduced in the 61st minute, his every touch till he scored 5 minutes from full time, the Red’s fans never stopped cheering “Owen! Owen! Owen!” I think Michael Owen was simply the most popular player on the field yesterday, agree? I am not going to elaborate much on the match. You should have already read it online or from newspapers. The match ended 3-2 in favor of the Red Devils. This is already a very respectable result as the last time our national team played against Manchester United in 2001, they lost 6-0! After the match, I had to endure another painful journey back to the hotel. By the time I reached Tune Hotel, it was already 2130! I have to say it is really an experience of lifetime to see Manchester United in actions in front of your very eyes. It is worth every sweat and pain to see your team playing. The only regret, if any, is perhaps I did not bring along my DSLR. The ticket mentions no photography is allowed during the match. At one time, I was very happy with myself for being able to smuggle in my mediocre digital camera, only to find out someone sat next to me was holding a big fellow in his hands! Damn!

Malaysia XI entered the pitch for training

National team supporters

Manchester United entered the pitch for training

Announcement of Manchester United’s line ups

Both sets of players entered the field

1-0 to Manchester United! Rooney scored!

Closer look at the players!

Impressive stadium, huh!

Impressive Bukit Jalil!

Reds sea!

The moment came when Owen came on in the 61st minute

United's players rounded the pitch after the match, much to the delights of fans!

Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs & Rio Ferdinand ran across the goals

Fans leaving Bukit Jalil after the match

Typical Malaysians!

And this frustrated me a lot!

For the Red’s fans out there who did not make it to the match yesterday or if you are planning to watch for the second time, here is a good news! A second game between Malaysia XI and Manchester United on July 20 evening had been confirmed in the post match press conference yesterday. The game will take place at 2045 local Kuala Lumpur time again at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium. So go to grab your tickets! I will watch this game live on ASTRO at home though. Glory Glory Manchester United!

Technorati Tags: Bukit Jalil National Stadium, Manchester United, Manchester United Asia Tour 2009, Malaysia XI versus Manchester United

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