KUALA LUMPUR – Low exposure to sunlight is the reason for the patchy pitch conditions in some areas of Bukit Jalil National Stadium last night.
Malaysia Stadium Corp (PSM), in a statement today, said that this shouldn’t be the case as it used “grow lights” to stimulate the growth of the grass in the affected areas.
“However, it does not have the same effect as natural sunlight.”
Meanwhile, PSM is confident the pitch issue will be resolved before World Cup qualifiers next month.
“The standard time to prepare the pitch is 12 months, but PSM only had eight.
“The rainy conditions all week did not help the growth of the new pitch.
“But despite a few patches, we are satisfied with the new drainage system and the progress of the field,” the statement said.
PSM says they will utilise the next month to ensure the pitch is in tip-top condition ahead of the World Cup qualifiers.
Yesterday during the Pestabola Merdeka clash between Malaysia and India, it was apparent the newly planted pitch was in a bad condition just minutes into the match.
Patches of the Zeon Zoysia grass were seen forming at various parts of the field.
The new pitch was relaunched on Thursday.
It was reported the cost of the new field was in the region of RM1.5 million and it is fully sponsored by Johor Darul Ta’zim owner Tunku Mahkota of Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.
Netizens mocked the condition of the new pitch on social media, with some even commenting that it looked more like a paddy field than a football pitch.
Tunku Ismail also waded in, saying the pitch needed more time for its roots to establish themselves in the ground.
“That field should be given more time for its roots to become strong, like the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium field. But the national team wants to use it as soon as possible.
“This decision is up to the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and the stadium. If it were up to me, I would give it more time, at least another 2 or 3 months,” he said in a Twitter reply last night, following the game’s conclusion. – October 14, 2023