Selangor will return to a full stadium environment when they travel to Cheras to face Kuala Lumpur in today’s Super League Klang Valley derby, following a two-match spectator ban that forced the Red Giants to play without fans at home.

The ban was imposed by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) last season after incidents involving supporter behavior and match organization during a game against Negri Sembilan. As a result, Selangor’s recent home matches, including their 2-1 victory over Sabah in the FA Cup round-of-16 second leg on Wednesday, were held behind closed doors. That win secured Selangor a 4-3 aggregate triumph and a place in the quarter-finals.

Head coach Kim Pan-gon called on Selangor supporters to fill the away section at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium and back the team as they face local rivals Kuala Lumpur, also known as the City Boys. Both clubs enter the derby buoyed by positive results: Kuala Lumpur advanced to the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 1-0 aggregate win over Perak, maintaining a goalless draw at home in the second leg after winning the first match away.

“This is a historic game, the derby game, and Selangor fans have pride, so we must win,” Pan-gon said ahead of the fixture. “We need everyone to come out as a unit and show our rivals that we are strong, not just on the pitch but in every part of the club. We have to ensure we occupy the game and we will give our best performance.”

The teams have met twice already this season. Selangor won the last encounter in Kuala Lumpur 3-2 in March, while their first meeting at Selangor’s Petaling Jaya Stadium ended in a goalless draw last season.

Today’s match promises to be a fiercely contested affair as both sides aim to assert dominance in the Kuala Lumpur region and build momentum in the league and cup competitions. With fans returning to the stands after a period of absence for Selangor, the match carries added significance for players and supporters alike.