KUALA LUMPUR – The state of the Bukit Jalil National Stadium pitch has presented a humiliating spectacle for the country, particularly as it took place during a crucial World Cup qualifying match, said sports analyst Mohd Sadek Mustafa.
When the action got going in last night’s game against Oman, the pitch quickly deteriorated, evident in the tearing and bumpiness of the turf that caused the ball to skip erratically upon contact with the ground.
This poor condition eventually resulted in injuries for Malaysia’s defender Azam Azmi and Oman striker Omar Al Malki.
“The field is not mature enough for it to be used in a competitive game.
“If you see when Azam went in for the tackle, his foot snagged on the pitch, which led to his injury, and the same happened with the Oman player (Omar).
“The pitch at Bukit Jalil has turned into a booby trap for players when they execute tackles,” said Sadek when contacted by Scoop.
He further criticised the attempt to mask the field’s condition, which projected a problematic image of the country to the world.
“It is just embarrassing, especially with it happening in a World Cup qualifying game.
“I was also told that the commentators were not allowed to address the pitch’s condition during the broadcast.
“I don’t understand the Sports Ministry’s handling of this issue,” added Sadek.
Last night, Harimau Malaya suffered a 0-2 defeat against Oman in the second round of the 2026 World Cup/2027 Asian Cup qualifying at the National Stadium.
Ahead of the game, images showing the pitch’s poor condition went viral on social media, prompting Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh to deny the authenticity of the photos and videos.
On Monday, Oman coach Jaroslav Silhavy dropped a bombshell, saying that his team and Harimau Malaya were not allowed to train on the National Stadium’s pitch due to its inadequate condition.
This led to a clarification from Hannah, explaining that rainy conditions led the FIFA Match Commissioner to ban both teams from training on the pitch.
Silhavy admitted after the game that the poor condition of the pitch had affected both teams’ performances but praised his men for displaying a strong performance to overcome the unfavourable conditions.
Malaysia’s next qualifying matches will be an away fixture against Kyrgyzstan on June 6, followed by a home game against Chinese Taipei on June 11 to wrap the action up in Group D. – March 27, 2024