The Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur (KL), Malaysia now holds a treasure trove of fond memories for several Bruneians, myself included, as we were enveloped in a sea of red, exhilarated to witness the clash of legends from Liverpool and Manchester United in the Battle of the Reds exhibition match earlier this month.
The thrill was particularly intense for Liverpool supporters, as the team secured a gratifying four-two victory, making the trip to KL entirely rewarding. I was among several fortunate Bruneian fans who had the opportunity to witness the match via a travel package from Straits Central Agencies Sdn Bhd.
On the day of the game, just before kick-off, some of us scrambled to find our team t-shirts and jerseys. It seemed we were so caught up in the thrill of the trip that we had forgotten to pack them.
Amidst this rush, there was some friendly banter between us rival fans, which only added to our excitement for the event, as if our anticipation wasn’t already evident as we were decked in red, while we waited for our transport to the stadium in the hotel lobby.
Despite an evening shower upon reaching the stadium, our spirits remained undimmed as we walked in.
Although the stadium was not at full capacity – likely due to the weekend timing and many being in the festive spirit of Hari Raya Aidilfitri and away in their hometowns – the atmosphere was electrifying.
As we walked down the steps to our seats, I was struck by the wave of red jerseys that filled the stadium, with some die-hard fans already cheering and singing in anticipation of the game. Throughout the match, the stadium resounded with the voices of thousands, including my own, as we all cheered our respective teams on.
Surprisingly, my voice held up after the game, despite all the excited screams and spontaneous jumps every time my team scored.
All the energy, the adrenaline, and the collective joy that surged through the venue made me realise how long it had been since I last watched a football game live.
The whole experience was a joyful reminder of the thrill that comes with being part of such a passionate crowd.
“Win, lose, or draw, who cares? We enjoyed watching the Battle of the Reds live with thousands of other reds fans at the stadium,” said Liverpool Fan Haji Massuni bin Haji Tengah.
“Both teams played well, although initially, some of us thought the players were just going to play an exhibition game. It turned out they were really playing competitively, not just for the sake of playing.”
Meanwhile, die-hard Manchester United fan Pengiran Sukrina bin Pengiran Haji Sulaiman, experiencing his first live sighting of a legendary English Premier League (EPL) player, described the event as exciting.
“Attending such a legendary match has been thrilling, considering the historic rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester United,” he said. “It’s an opportunity to witness some of the greatest footballers displaying their skills and reliving the nostalgia of their past glories on the pitch,” he added.
Liverpool fan Pengiran Zaini bin Pengiran Bujang described the trip as a memorable experience that combined sports, travel and leisure. “It’s great that we were able to participate in such an event, and it was truly enjoyable and unforgettable for all of us.”
Manchester United fan Wardun Yussof expressed gratitude, stating it had always been his dream to witness legendary EPL players up close, particularly when the event was in KL.
Despite Manchester United’s loss to Liverpool, he described it as a good game of football, highlighting the players’ enduring skills on the field, which excited everyone watching.
“The best unforgettable moment was when Liverpool won the game,” said Hajah Miskiah Fadzillah binti Haji Masri, while her husband Mohd Rizal, a Manchester United fan, shared it was a fun game watching the legends play.
“Overall, despite us both being rival fans, it was a great and memorable experience seeing the sea of reds around Bukit Jalil National Stadium.” – Lyna Mohammad
