Keep national stadium pitch tip-top like Wembley, says ex-international

 

Football fans were critical of the condition of the National Stadium’s pitch during the World Cup qualifier in which Malaysia lost 0-2 to Oman.

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia can look to how London’s iconic Wembley Stadium is managed when deciding how the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil can be put to the best possible use, says former football international Stanley Bernard.

Bernard, CEO of Kuala Lumpur City FC, said Wembley, the home ground of the English national football team, is used for multiple events, including concerts and rugby matches, but never faces issues with the condition of its pitch.

Likewise, our national stadium’s pitch must always be in tip-top shape, he said, no matter what the Malaysia Stadium Corporation puts it to use for, whether primarily for football or also for other events such as concerts.

“The reputation of the country is at stake,” he told FMT in response to intense criticism over the condition of the pitch during the World Cup qualifier between Malaysia and Oman on Tuesday.

Stanley Bernard.

Bernard also said a pitch in excellent condition could give an added advantage to the national team in home matches especially with the crowd rallying behind Harimau Malaya.

Last November, the stadium turf suffered damage following a concert by the British pop group Coldplay played in front of a reported 75,000 crowd.

The state of the pitch, planted with zeon zoysia grass, became a hot topic again after a video and images showing a damaged turf emerged following a concert by Ed Sheeran on Feb 24.

On Monday, both Malaysia and Oman were prevented from conducting training sessions on the pitch following heavy rain, drawing criticism from national coach Kim Pan-gon.

After the team’s 0-2 loss to Oman, the stadium corporation said it will conduct a post-mortem meeting with the stadium’s consultants and contractors to discuss the state of the pitch.

James Wong.

Former international James Wong suggested that the Football Association of Malaysia identify alternative venues for international matches in the event the National Stadium is not in top shape.

Wong, who scored the winning goal to secure Malaysia’s qualification for the 1980 Olympic Games, said Malaysia has football stadiums with excellent playing surfaces, such as the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium owned by Johor Darul Ta’zim, and Likas Stadium in Sabah.

“If we want to host an international match, we should have the best facilities available. That’s part of our responsibility as host,” he said.

He also said all non-football activities at the National Stadium should be suspended temporarily to allow the pitch to recover. - FMT