Indonesians take notice as Malaysia roll into Jakarta

NATIONAL coach K. Rajagopal, now fondly known as ‘King Raja’, is not only a celebrity at home but also in Indonesia.

The former international is called ‘Pak Raja’ by the Indonesian media and has been enjoying celebrity status since Malaysia made waves to enter the final of the Asean Football Federation (AFF) championship.

On Sunday night, Rajagopal and his boys put a hand on the Suzuki Cup after beating Indonesia 3-0 in the first-leg final at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.

The team took the earliest flight out of Kuala Lumpur (9.10am) for Jakarta yesterday for the second-leg final tomorrow.

The coach and players were given a heroes welcome on board flight MH711.

The flight captain made the announcement that the Malaysian team was on board and they wished them success in their mission to succeed in the tournament, which they have never won since its inception in 1996.

Rajagopal as cool he can be was still cautious of the remaining 90 minutes.

“We are reaching a climax in the tournament and don’t want to ruin it. We will stay focused and get what is required in the second-leg to win the Suzuki Cup,” he said.

“Of course, we don’t plan to sit on the three goals and let them come at us to score.”

Some of the Malaysian passengers on board also congratulated Rajagopal and his boys for their heroics to down Indonesia, who had earlier thrashed them 5-1 in the group stage.

The players looked exhausted and most of them slept on the more than two-hour journey.

On arrival at the Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Jakarta, the team were greeted by a small band of Malaysian supporters (students) with the “Jalur Gemilang” and several banners.

“Can you imagine what football can do to someone?” said Rajagopal, who was being photographed by Indonesians.

The players had not had enough rest but yet they were sporting to granted interviews by the media and also obliged well-wishers, who wanted to be photographed with them.

The team will get a deserved rest before they get down to serious business in their final workout today.