Who Are The Best Asian Ultras?

Asian football is renowned for singing, tifo, and of course, ultras. But who are the best Asian ultras? And what makes them the best ultras? 

Here we look at the ultras in Asia who bring the most passion, colour, and noise to club football across Asia… 

Who are the best Asian Ultras?

5. Urawa Boys

Urawa Boys are supporters of Japanese J-League outfit Urawa Reds, and have had a colourful history. 

Founded in 1997, this Ultras group supported their team from the east stand of Urawa Komaba Stadium until they were disbanded in 2014, before being revived in 2018. 

The founder of Urawa Boys, Junma Sagara, was a controversial figure, who often encouraged banners celebrating the revolutionary figure Che Guevara. While the club distanced itself from the banners, Sagara, who advocated a cheering style that focussed on “the pride of Urawa, the city of soccer” felt the cultural icon was a strong symbol of opposing authority and his feeling that the team did not belong to Tokyo.

An incident involving a discriminatory banner in March 2014 saw the group disbanded, along with the other supporters groups who occupied the ‘Kurva Est’. Loudspeakers and drums, the symbol of Ultras groups in Japan, were banned from the stadium. 

The ban was lifted in February 2018, when the Urawa Boys banner was seen in the stadium for the first time in four years, as the Urawa Reds took on FC Tokyo. 

Urawa Boys have put their chequered history behind them, and now provide the most vociferous support of any team in Japan. 

Watch: Urawa Reds

4. Frente Tricolor

Formed in 1995, Frente Tricolor is the official supporter group of K-League side Suwon Samsung Bluewings, and they are also the biggest supporter group in the K-League. 

Initially called Grand Bleu, the group merged with Highland Este in May 2012 to form one passionate group of Bluewings supporters. 

The famous Red Devils, supporters of the South Korean national side, was also founded by members of Frente Tricolor. 

These passionate supporters are renowned for filling their section of the stadium well before kick-off, creating an electric atmosphere for players and fans alike as the match draws near. 

Watch: Frente Tricolor

3. Northside Boys

When you think of Bali, you probably think of Bintang’s on the beach, not Ultras in the stands. However, Bali United’s Northside Boys have grown in stature since the clubs inception in 2017, and now provide an incredible backdrop to the club’s home games at Kapten I Wayan Dipta Stadium in Gianyar.

The philosophy of Northside Boys is one of one goal, one love and one pride for Bali United – they pride themselves on being a collective, not an organisation, and all are welcome on the terraces of Gate 12 in the North Tribune. 

Having drawn inspiration from European Ultra groups, Northside Boys bring a distinctive Balinese flavour to matchdays, with drums, non-stop chanting, and flags in the red, white and black of Bali always on display. 

In recent seasons the Northside Boys have excelled with their artistry, creating some of the most spectacular ‘tifo’ seen in Asia. 

And as they say in Bali, no pyro, no party…

Watch: Northside Boys

2. Boys of Straits

Founded in 2010, Boys of Straits are the passionate supporters of Malaysian powerhouse Johor Darul Ta’zim FC. 

Their fans are known for bringing their passionate support to stadiums home and away, and even went as far as Dushanbe, Tajikistan in 2015 to watch their team bring home the AFC Cup. 

However, it wasn’t always like this… 

The group started out with just five members, singing and dancing and doing their best to support the team as they struggled on the pitch. 

As results improved, so too did attendances, and the group quickly grew to 3500 fans all supporting the team from Johor in southern Malaysia. 

With Johor Darul Ta’zim FC now the dominant force in Malaysia, having won the past eight titles in a row, a seat in the 40,000 capacity Sultan Ibrahim Stadium is the hottest ticket in town, thanks in no small part to the incredible colour and atmosphere provided by Boys of Straits. 

Watch: Boys of Straits

1. Brigata Curva Sud

PSS Sleman’s ultra group, Brigata Curva Sud, are the second entry from Indonesia on our list, and for good reason. 

Not only do Brigata Curva Sud provide the loudest, most colourful, and most passionate support of any club in Asia, the group also sponsor the team!

For many years, PSS Sleman struggled in Indonesia’s second division, yet it didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of their loyal fans. 

After years of mismanagement, the club was staring down the barrel of a financial disaster, when Brigata Curva Sud stepped up. 

Selling their own merchandise, the supporters group was able to financially support the club, and their efforts were finally rewarded during the 2018 season as the unfancied club won the Liga 2 title, gaining automatic promotion to Liga 1. 

With their incredible supporters behind them, PSS Sleman finished eighth in Liga 1 in 2019, and picked up a lot of fans both at home and abroad as people fell in love with Brigata Curva Sud. 

Watch: Brigata Curva Sud

While we believe these are the best Asian ultras, if there is a group you think we need to include in this list, drop a link to one of their YouTube videos below!