FIFA pays tribute to Malaysian fans who cheered Thai players despite AFF Cup loss

PETALING JAYA: It's not all gloom as Malaysian football fans showed their sporting side despite Harimau Malaya's exit from the AFF Mitsubishi Cup.

The fans' gesture in cheering and applauding the victorious host team after the return leg semi-finals match in Bangkok caught the notice of world football body FIFA, who highlighted their actions in a tweet that read: "The beautiful game. Malaysia fans show their respect for Thailand players after losing to them in the @affmecup."

The tweet also included a video clip showing a section of the stadium where the Malaysian fans are seated.

In the video, the fans can be seen waving their hands in the air and chanting: "Sawadeekap, sawadeekap, yay-yay-yay, Thailand!"

The camera then pans away from the fans to the edge of the field where Thai players, all bearing wide smiles, applaud appreciatively in time with the chants.

The tweet also included the "heart" and "handshake" emojis as well as the hashtag #FootballUnitesTheWorld.

The official Twitter account for the AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup posted the same video with the caption: "Best away fans in Asean?"

As of 4pm on Wednesday (Jan 11) the video has reached almost one million views and received over 8,000 likes.

Malaysia lost 1-3 on aggregate after a 0-3 defeat to Thailand in the return leg semi-finals played at Thammasat Stadium in Bangkok on Tuesday (Jan 10).

Malaysian fans were outnumbered by locals but they made their presence felt in the 25,000 capacity venue with their enthusiastic chants and cheers.

Twitter embed:

The beautiful game The Malaysia fans show their respect for the Thailand players after losing to them in the @affmecup #FootballUnitesTheWorldpic.twitter.com/36LrGJ3ITZ — FIFA (@FIFAcom) January 10, 2023