the star

Wednesday July 14, 2010
Whole lot of fun at Dataran
By CHOONG MEK ZHIN
mekzhin@thestar.com.my


SPIRITS were high at Dataran Merdeka where 60,000 people turned up during the night of the World Cup 2010 finals with almost equal number of fans of both teams present throughout the match despite the wet and muddy field conditions.

The sound of vuvuzelas and cheers as well as groans seem to come simultaneously from the crowd that moved almost as one, united in their love for the game and the teams they supported.

Surrounding roads including Jalan Raja Laut, Jalan Tun Perak, Jalan Raja and Jalan Parlimen were double, triple and quadruple-parked on both sides by the start of the match, leaving only one lane free for other vehicles to pass.


Bumper crowd: 60,000 people gathered in front of the large screen at Dataran Merdeka.

Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Ahmad Fuad Ismail who turned up with his wife Datin Norkhayati Hashim to watch the match also received on behalf of City Hall the sMalaysia Book of Records certificate for the Biggest Outdoor LED World Cup Viewing Screen.

The screen measures 70ft by 30ft and is the latest addition to the Kulview 2010 that began simultaneously with the World Cup.

“It’s great to see so many locals turning up to watch the match on the giant screen we’ve put up here. I’m quite excited about the match myself as two of the original four teams I supported from the start made it to the finals,” Fuad said.

He added that for that night he would put his trust in Paul the infamous octopus who had predicted Spain’s win.


All cheers: Spain and Netherland supporters in high spirits before the start of the World Cup 2010 finals at Dataran Merdeka.

The night also set another unofficial record for the largest turnout for a match, with previous matches involving high profile teams only drawing about 4,000 spectators.

Prior to the 2am kick off, the Mayor’s Cup Futsal Open competition finals took place for both the men and women’s categories duking it out for the grand prize of RM500 and RM3,000 respectively as well as champion jerseys and the trophy.


For the record: Fuad (left) receiving the Malaysia Book of Records certificate for Dataran Merdeka’s officially “Biggest Outdoor LED World Cup Viewing Screen”.
Football fans that had already started arriving to secure spots on the field since 11pm were also entertained by performers onstage, a showcase by the DBKL marching band consisting of its enforcement officers and fire eaters.

One lucky Netherlands fan, Roshaniza Zulkiflee, 30, walked away on cloud nine that night as she was the lucky draw grand prize winner of a Kia Picanto.