GEORGE TOWN: More than 10,000 people, mostly soccer fans, have gathered at the Esplanade field to watch the final match of the FIFA World Cup 2022 between Argentina and France.
The match, projected onto a big screen on stage, is also being watched by Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Penang Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak, Penang youth and sports committee chairman Soon Lip Chee, Penang Island City Council mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang and several other VIPs under a canopy erected in front of the screen.
The crowds seated on mats stretched over the field cheered in unison when goals were scored by the Argentinian team.
As of 11.35pm Sunday (Dec 18), Argentina is in the lead with 2-0 with the first goal scored by Lionel Messi and the second by Angel Di Maria.
Apart from soccer fans, some who were not familiar with the sport also joined the crowd.
"This is my first time watching a full-screen soccer match, wow it was way more exciting than I thought.
"It takes a little effort to understand the gameplay and that's it," said businessman Joshua Chee, 42, who brought his family along.
Retired civil servant A. Kalaiappan, 68, said he never missed to watch the finals for the World Cup for the past 30 years, although he admitted to knowing little about the teams and players.
"This is probably the most watched event around the world. Tomorrow, everybody will be talking about it.
"I may not follow all of the matches, but the final is a historical event itself, held every four years," he said.
To liven up the atmosphere, stage performances were also held, as well as two lucky draw sessions.
