Around 30,000 fans of Era FM packed into a Malaysian football stadium on Saturday to mark the country’s Independence Day (Merdeka).

A charity football match and concert put on by the Astro Radio-owned station drew the crowds to the Hang Jebat Stadium in the port city of Malacca.

Team Era FC including station DJs, along with players from Malaysia’s under 22 football team Harimau Muda (Young Tigers), took on the Arena All Stars.

The All Stars had celebrities and former national players including Rizal Hashim , Zainal Abidin Rawop, Shahril Arsat, Azlisham Ibrahim , Nazzan Hidzan  and Ahmad Shahrul  playing for them.

Era FC won the match 3 -2 and the station went on to rock the stadium with the ERAVAGANZA concert that evening.

Performers included singer-songwriter Najwa Latif,  pop band Forteen and Faizal Tahir.

Speaking about the anniversary event, Era FM brand manager Nazri Noran said:  “We put on the music and football fiesta to thank our loyal listeners, who have been the backbone of our success as Malaysia’s number one radio station.”