Stadium is pitch perfect for Cup final

It will be pitch perfect.

The Malaysian Football League (MFL) are confident that the pitch conditions at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil will be good enough to handle the Malaysia Cup final between Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) and Selangor tomorrow.

MFL chief executive officer Stuart Ramalingam said a visit to the venue yesterday was to ensure that there would be no repeat of the incident in June during Malaysia’s match against Bahrain in the Asian Cup qualifiers.

Then, a heavy downpour prior to the kick-off saw the game played in a water-logged field.

Workers were seen using shovels and cardboard to clear the water from the pitch before the match.

“We have already visited the venue. Maintenance of the field area as well as security checks have been carried out, so the Bukit Jalil Stadium is indeed ready to host the Malaysia Cup final.

“JDT and Selangor have also sent their representatives to see for themselves the condition of the venue.

“We are better prepared to ensure that this (water-logged pitch) will not happen again.’’

The National Stadium will also be the official arena for the senior team for the 2022 Asean Football Federation (AFF) Cup starting on Dec 20.