Stadium official fixing the pitch during the Merdeka Tournament at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, October 13, 2023. - GLENN GUAN/The Star
PETALING JAYA: More time should have been given to allow the grass at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil to be strong enough for use in football matches, according to Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.
Malaysia surprised a higher ranked India side 4-2 to qualify for the Merdeka Tournament final but it was not the only shock.
Football fans were left gaping in surprise at the amount of damage done to the field after only 45 minutes of play against India in the Merdeka Tournament on Friday night.
The newly turfed pitch, which cost almost RM4.8 million, had chunks of grass torn at the end of the match and play was affected at times, thus raising questions among football fans in the country about the quality of the grass used.
Tunku Ismail through his twitter handle revealed that the grass was damaged due to the impatient nature to use the pitch.
"That field should have been given more time for his roots to be strong. Like the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium field.
"But the national team wants to use it as soon as possible. That is the decision of FAM (Malaysian Football Association) and the stadium.
"If it was me, I would give more time. At least another two or three months. This contractor is the same contractor who made the JDT field."
The National Stadium closed in March for upgrading works with the Zeon Zoysia grass pitch sponsored by
Tunku Ismail.
