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Published: Thursday December 30, 2010 MYT 2:33:00 PM
Updated: Thursday December 30, 2010 MYT 7:19:44 PM
Victorious footballers come home to jubilant welcome
By ERIC SAMUEL and ISABELLE LAI
“Congratulations to the coaching team and the Malaysian Tigers on this great achievement!" Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
SEPANG: The victorious Malaysian football team arrived at KLIA from Jakarta on Thursday to a rousing welcome from hundreds of flag-waving fans and relatives.
Malaysian football team members pose with the AFF Suzuki Cup trophy as they arrive at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. - AP Photo
Euphoric supporters shouted their congratulations and joy as the AFF Suzuki Cup champions and sports officials walked out of the arrival hall. As fans surged to a stage set up for the returning heroes, policemen had a tough job keeping them at bay.
Safee Sali is mobbed by Malaysian fans upon arrival at KLIA.- AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star
They were greeted by Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek and other senior officials from the ministry. Jubilant supporters sang and waved the Jalur Gemilang and various banners, one of which saluted the Tigers for upholding the nation's dignity.
Earlier, after the team and officials landed, KLIA staff gave them a welcome home reception before the footballers went out to meet their fans. On Wednesday night, the Tigers had given Malaysia a fairytale happy ending in the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Championships.
Malaysian football team coach K. Rajagobal, in white shirt, is greeted as he arrives at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang, Thursday. - AP Photo
The footballers, under coach K. Rajagopal, defied the odds to emerge champions with a bunch of mostly rookie internationals.
Earlier Thursday morning, the team checked out of Hotel Sultan in Jakarta, where they had been held almost under siege the past three days, to head home after a job well done.
It was a huge sigh of relief for Rajagopal and his men, who had faced hostile fans and high tension in the streets of Jakarta, to be able to enjoy the bus ride to the Soekarno-Hatta airport.
Skipper Safiq Rahim recalled their short journey from the hotel to the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on Wednesday as going to war as they were forced to ride in a police armoured vehicle (Barrucuda) to the stadium.
Malaysian football supporters awaiting for the arrival of the team at KLIA
“It was some experience for me and the players...it was like going to war.
"But I am glad we kept our focus. It is a great achievement for a young team,” said Safiq.
Team manager Datuk Subahan Kamal was proud of his players.
“They have done their best. We expected to make the final at the 2012 championships.
But these boys have shown character and tremendous fighting spirit to go out there and win the Cup,” said Subahan.
The players will take a well-deserved break before they resume playing in the domestic competition late next month.
