What happened to the Kedah football fanbase?
Recent years have seen a decline in stadium attendance, leaving the Kedah football team in desperate need of its loyal ‘12th player’ to reignite its glory.
SHAH ALAM - Football has long been a cherished part of Malaysian culture, particularly in Kedah, where passionate fans once camped overnight outside Darul Aman Stadium for match tickets.
However, recent years have seen a decline in stadium attendance, leaving the Kedah football team in desperate need of its loyal ‘12th player’ to reignite its glory.
From 2015 to 2017, Darul Aman Stadium was a hive of activity as thousands of Kedah football fans camped overnight and queued for hours to secure match tickets.
Such dedication once defined the spirit of Kedah football supporters, with moments like the 2017 Malaysia Cup final exemplifying their passion, one fan even fainted while queuing at a ticket counter.
In 2019, the fervour was still palpable, as Hijau Kuning supporters waited up to 16 hours in the rain, using cardboard as bedding, to purchase tickets for the FA Cup Final.
But today, the scene has changed dramatically. The presence of the ‘12th player’: the fans; has waned significantly. For a recent Malaysian Super League (MSL) match between Kedah Darul Aman (KDA) and Terengganu FC, KDA FC reported only 242 online ticket sales by Oct 19, a modest increase from just 166 tickets the day before.
Despite these figures, Kedah proved its enduring appeal as 3,281 supporters gathered at Darul Aman Stadium, rallying behind their team in a 1-0 victory over Terengganu FC.
However, the challenges persist. On Saturday, Kedah faced another setback with the resignation of head coach Nafuzi Zain, who had joined the team in 2023.
Nafuzi, famous for his "Nafuzi Ball" style, had been tasked with restoring Kedah’s glory days, akin to their double treble triumphs in 2007 and 2008 under the late Mohd Azraai Khor Abdullah.
Yet financial struggles have overshadowed these aspirations, with players reportedly facing salary delays. The need for fans to return to the stadium is greater than ever, not only to boost ticket sales and alleviate financial pressures but also to inspire the players to deliver their best performances.
The ‘12th player’, are the lifeblood of any football team. For Kedah, their support is vital to weather the current challenges and reclaim the team’s past greatness.
It is time for Kedah supporters to rally once more. Let us fill Darul Aman Stadium and reignite the passion that once made Kedah football extraordinary!
