Day 2 in Kuala Lumpur. Members of the Liverpool Football Club show up at the Pavilion for the unveiling of the new LFC-themed Standard Chartered credit card. The team seemed a little tired but they soldiered on. Of the bunch -- Raul Meireles, Christian Poulsen, Sotiros, Kyrgiakos, John Flanagan, Jaime Carragher, and Andy Carroll, it was the latter who was always waving and smiling. When I snapped this, I was just an arm's length away from Carroll so I said, "Hi, Andy!" The LFC striker turned and smiled for this photo.
There were 12 jerseys on display with names on their backs. No doubt, they drew a lot of buzz from the fans and were oft a photo op. Here are the shirts of the two Liverpool heroes Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard.
One of the side events of the atrium area of the Pavilion was the tattoo area where fans lined up for various (temporary tattoos) that can have placed anywhere (save for the private parts areas).
The Liverpool players look around at the fans who have filled the atrium and crowded the upper floors. It was a pretty impressive sight. However, I thought that security did a lousy job because as soon as the players left, all hell broke loose as the fans began to push their way in. I myself was jostling with fellow members of the media. Got to ask Andy Carroll a few questions until a minder stopped me.
The Bukit Bintang entrance of the Kuala Lumpur Pavilion that was dressed up for the occasion. In this case, a replica of the Shankly Gates in Anfield. Fantastic atmosphere here in Kuala Lumpur.
Not a temporary tattoo. This man got a lot of press for his adulation of the Anfield club.
With Mahmoud, a Kuwaiti on vacation here in Malaysia, is a huge Liverpool fan. While on my way to the Pavilion, he struck a conversation because he, in his own words, "was directionally challenged." But I've got a very good sense of direction and was hardly lost in KL. He showed my his wallpaper on his iPhone (the LFC logo) and his ring tone of "You'll Never Walk Alone." We also chatted about the upcoming Philippines vs. Kuwait World Cup Qualifying match. "It's really hot there," he warned. "I believe you," I replied worried for our lads. The group of Pinoys I was with carried a "Mabuhay LFC" banner and they were first foreign group greeted during the ceremony. A Malaysian fan came over and said that he was a fan of the Azkals. Coolness.
Michelle, is a journalist from The Sun here in Malaysia. She lived in Cebu for four years and speaks fondly of her time there. She admitted that she was an Arsenal fan but the adulation for Liverpool in Malaysia was so much more bigger and more passionate than for any other club. There are at least 2 million registered LFC fans from Malaysia. "I'm fine with Liverpool. Just not Man United," she quipped. I enjoyed mingling with people and making new friends. One idiot in a MUFC jersey made the mistake of entering and he got so much crap from the crowd that he fled. Same thing during the training session at the Bukit Jalil that the MUCKer got the shirt stripped off his back. Not what the hell was he thinking? Serves him right. Anyways, it is such a cool feeling being a part of the internationally accredited media here at Kuala Lumpur. Hopefully, the next accreditation I get for LFC is for a match in Anfield.
A reminder for every day of this fan's life. When the Anfield anthem was sung by the crowd, I got goosebumps. Hours later and lying down in my bed, I can still feel my hair stand up.
Leo, Mich, Monica, and Mika do us proud. Mabuhay!
MY BANNER!!! ^O^
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