KUCHING: Football has quietly followed Dr Nisha Thayananthan through every stage of her life.
It began in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, watching matches alongside her brothers and playing the sport during primary school before accompanying her to Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), where she pursued her medical degree.
Years later, it would follow her again to London as she embarked on her career as a doctor with Britain’s National Health Service (NHS).
This year, football took her another 8,781 kilometres (km) – to Los Angeles in the United States and her first FIFA World Cup.
The doctor never imagined she would one day find herself among tens of thousands of supporters at football’s biggest stage.
From the screen to the stands
Having spent years following the beautiful game from afar, watching a World Cup match live proved to be unlike anything she had experienced before.
Dr Nisha made her World Cup debut at the quarter-final clashes between Belgium-Spain and Argentina-Switzerland in Los Angeles, where the scale of the tournament quickly became apparent.
“Watching football live was a completely different experience from watching it on television,” she said.
“The atmosphere inside the stadium was electric. I felt goosebumps every time a goal was scored.”
What surprised her most, however, was the continuous wave of support both inside and outside the stadium.
Flags, songs and chants accompanied supporters long before kick-off, transforming not only the stadium but the city itself into an extension of the World Cup experience.
“The cheering was continuous, both on and off the pitch. Flags, songs and energy filled every corner of the stadium and the city,” she recalled.
Watching a match from the stands also revealed the finer details often missed on television – from the hydration breaks to the deafening roar of tens of thousands of supporters celebrating together after every goal.
“TV lets you watch the match, but being there allows you to feel every moment unfold around you,” she said.
Football’s global language
For Dr Nisha, one of the tournament’s greatest surprises was witnessing football’s universal appeal unfold before her eyes.
Securing World Cup tickets had proven difficult for supporters from across the globe, with one fan even joking that he would willingly sell his property for the chance to attend the final.
Those conversations only deepened her appreciation of being present at football’s grandest occasion.
Outside the stadium, Dr Nisha unexpectedly found herself becoming part of someone else’s World Cup story.
A media page approached her for an interview after learning she was Malaysian, telling her they had never previously spoken to a Malaysian supporter at the tournament.
It was a small but memorable reminder that while the World Cup may ultimately be decided on the pitch, it is equally defined by the people who travel thousands of kilometres to become part of it.
A moment worth 8,781 kilometres
The highlight of Dr Nisha’s journey was watching Lionel Messi play in person in what could potentially be his final FIFA World Cup appearance.
For someone who grew up watching football with her brothers, seeing one of the game’s defining figures on its biggest stage added another layer to an already unforgettable experience.
The 8,781-km flight from London to Los Angeles may have been a long one, but she insists it was worth every kilometre.
Asked whether she would do it all again when the tournament returns in 2030, her answer came without hesitation.
“Absolutely,” she said.
The journey was never just about attending two football matches. It was about finally experiencing a tournament she had spent a lifetime watching from afar
