Torn pitch, political appointments? Pitch problems plague Bukit Jalil
Damaged pitch blamed for Malaysia's loss, expert calls for PSM scrutiny
SHAH ALAM - To aspire to be a world-class host for international football tournaments, Malaysia must prioritise upgrading its stadiums, says academician and Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman senior lecturer Afi Rozhesry.
Afi stressed that there should be no attempt to mask the poor condition of the Bukit Jalil National Stadium pitch.
The visible tearing of the pitch, he argued, significantly impacted the game plan of Harimau Malaya.
"While I don't attribute the pitch as the sole reason for our loss against Oman, it's clear that the poor condition played a role, possibly leading to defender Azam Azmi's injury," Afi told Sinar Daily.
He expressed embarrassment at the situation, particularly considering Malaysia's role as the host for the FIFA World Cup qualifier match.
Afi held the Malaysia Stadium Corporation (PSM) accountable for the state of affairs, stressing the urgency for the unity government and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to address the issue promptly.
"Hosting sports tournaments is a serious matter. Our local fans are slamming the pitch condition before and after the match," he added.
Afi also raised concerns about political appointments within the PSM, suggesting that some individuals appointed by the unity government may not be capable of managing the national stadium pitch effectively.
Following Harimau Malaya's 0-2 defeat against Oman in the 2026 World Cup/2027 Asian Cup qualifying round at the National Stadium, images circulating on social media depicted the poor condition of the pitch.
Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh initially refuted the authenticity of the photos and videos.
However, Oman coach Jaroslav Silhavy revealed that both teams were prohibited from training on the pitch due to its inadequate condition, a statement later clarified by Hannah attributing the ban to rainy weather conditions.
Malaysia's upcoming qualifying matches include an away fixture against Kyrgyzstan on June 6, followed by a home game against Chinese Taipei on June 11, concluding the Group D action.
