FAM to monitor pitch closely ahead of WC qualifier in June
JAYA: The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) hope that the pitch at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil will be ready for the national team’s 2026 World Cup-2027 Asian Cup qualifying Group D campaign in June.
The current pitch of Zeon Zoysia by a hybrid pitch donated by Regent of Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.
The Zeon Zoysia pitch, which was also donated by Tunku Ismail earlier, came under fire as it was not at a satisfactory level during the national team’s 2-0 loss to Oman in the World Cup qualifying match last month.
The pitch’s condition could not cope after the national stadium also hosted concerts and that led to the Youth and Sports Ministry issuing a short-term moratorium banning any installation of stage structures for concerts until the grass condition reached satisfactory levels.
FAM vice-president Firdaus Mohamed said they will monitor the condition of the pitch as there is a concert scheduled to be held in May.
He added that the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Johor and the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium in Terengganu are the other alternative venues for Harimau Malaya’s final World Cup qualifying Group D match against Taiwan on June 6.
“We will monitor the condition of the National Stadium pitch as I have also been informed that a concert will be held at the National Stadium. This also puts pressure on us regarding whether we can use the National Stadium or not,” said Firdaus.
“However, we will make a visit and assess the condition of the field first. We will not compromise, if the field is usable, we will use it because our priority is the players and we don’t want them to get injured.”
Meanwhile, Firdaus expressed his gratitude to Tunku Ismail, who graciously provided hybrid grass for use at the National Stadium.
“The FAM are grateful, we want to ensure that the players play in comfortable conditions.
“Thank you to Tunku Ismail for contributing grass to the National Stadium because we truly hope for the best quality field.”