Two friends were injured when robbed by a group of men while they were watching the World Cup match at a restaurant in Taman Nibong Tebal Jaya here early today.

A police spokesman said the victims, aged 43 and 55, were having a drink at a table at the five-foot walkway of the restaurant, while watching the football match, when four men on two Honda Ex5 motorcycles stopped and attacked them.

"A struggle ensued during which the attackers, who were armed with machetes, warned the victims to surrender their money and belongings.

"One of the attackers also said he had a pistol and would use it if they did not do as told," he added.

He said the victims, fearing for their safety, then handed RM3,500 and two handphones to the attackers," he said.

According to the police, other patrons at the restaurant dared not interfere or help the victims as they had been warned that they would be harmed.

The patrons only went to the victims' aid by sending them to Sungai Bakap Hospital after the attackers fled the scene, he added.

The victims lodged a police report after getting treatment at the hospital.

Penang Criminal Investigation Department head SAC Mazlan Kesah, when contacted, confirmed the incident.