SEPANG: AirAsia Malaysia took pride in flying Ultras Malaya and other Harimau Malaya supporters to Bangkok to catch the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup semi-final second leg match between Malaysia and Thailand at Rajamangala National Stadium, yesterday.
The supporters in ‘black and yellow’ theme were sent off in a special ceremony at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA2) attended by Ministry of Youth and Sports secretary-general Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali and AirAsia Malaysia CEO, Riad Asmat.
Riad Asmat said AirAsia was happy to help the fans to get to where the real action is as their presence will boost the national players morale ahead of the clash.
“We believe in Ultras Malaya, ‘ekor Harimau Malaya’ and it is only proper to help them and other fans of our national football team to get there.
“Their terrace chants and vocal support will no doubt be a welcome boost to the Harimau Malaya, a reminder that the whole of Malaysia will stand together and roar with the team tonight,” he told reporters.
In the first leg match at National Stadium in Bukit Jalil last Saturday, despite dominating the game before a packed home crowd, Tan Cheng Hoe’s boys were unable to make headway against the ‘War Elephants. The match ended in a goalless draw.
Meanwhile, Lokman commended AirAsia for doing their part as a homegrown company to support the local sports scene and for enabling Ultras Malaya and fellow supporters with this special flight.
“This will definitely add on to the roaring atmosphere for our players at the stadium. I hope that more from the private sector will support our sports industry as we continue to grow on the international stage,” he said. – Bernama
AirAsia’s has shown a great commitment to Malaysian sports through their “Daretodream campaign which reinforces the airline as dream-enabler through its support for national athletes from all levels, with a single goal in mind – to put the nation on the world map. – Bernama
