Lone Pahang fan among JDT supporters ends up enjoying the ride

Fanatic fans: Father Ahmad Fazril Abdul Razak supports Pahang while his son Ahmad Syakir Qayyum Ahmad Fazril is JDT's follower. - by FAIHAN GHANI/The Star

PETALING JAYA: For some, a four-hour journey surrounded by rival fans could be a nightmare. However, for Ahmad Fazril Abdul Razak, it was anything but.

The 44-year-old hotel employee from Johor found himself the lone Pahang supporter aboard a bus packed with Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) fans, travelling from Johor Baru to Bukit Jalil for the Malaysia Cup final between JDT and Pahang yesterday.

Was there any trouble? Not at all, said Fazril, laughing.

"I have lived in Johor since 2012 and everyone on the bus are my friends. There was plenty of friendly banter, but nothing serious. It was a really fun ride," he said.

Adding a heartwarming twist to the tale, Fazril’s seven-year-old son, Ahmad Syakir Qayyum Ahmad Fazril, has pledged his loyalty to JDT instead of his father’s beloved Pahang - and Fazril couldn’t be prouder of his son’s independence.

"I was born in Johor, and I support JDT because of Arif Aiman (Hanapi). I get really excited whenever he plays!” said the young Syakir with a grin.

Fazril, who has been a loyal Pahang supporter since 1992, credits his late father for instilling that passion in him.

"He used to take me to Pahang matches, not just in Kuantan but across the country," said Fazril, a huge admirer of former Pahang striker Azizul Kamaluddin.

"As for Pahang making it to this year’s final - it was unexpected, but it feels amazing to be here."

Meanwhile, the Johor Volunteers, a non-government organisation, rallied over 2,000 supporters to back JDT, lighting up the stadium with raucous chants and vibrant banners.

Its coordinator, Tun Naim Satiman, said the group wasted no time organising the trip once the final was confirmed.

"We brought 2,000 southern volunteers to boost the boys’ morale. We were formed by the Mentri Besar of Johor (Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi) to carry out volunteer work across the state,” he said.

"When JDT booked their spot in the final, we knew we had to be there, standing alongside the Boys of Straits to back our team."

More than 50,000 fans packed the National Stadium, creating a dazzling sea of colours — the red and blue of JDT clashing against the yellow and blue of Pahang.

It was a fitting backdrop for a repeat of the epic 2014 Malaysia Cup final, where Pahang edged out JDT 5-3 on penalties after a thrilling 2-2 draw in regulation time.