KUALA LUMPUR – Bukit Jalil National Stadium will be the official venue of Harimau Malaya (national men’s football squad) throughout the 2022 Asean Football Federation (AFF) Cup campaign starting December 20.
Besides the AFF Cup, Football Association of Malaysia secretary-general Noor Azman Rahman said the Tier 1 international friendly match against Cambodia on December 9 – which has been scheduled as preparation for coach Kim Pan-gon’s team ahead of the regional tournament – will also take place at the same venue.
Noor Azman thanked caretaker youth and sports minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu for his concern and agreeing to allow the national team to use the national stadium as its home for Southeast Asia’s most prestigious international football tournament.
“We are aware of the condition of the pitch at the national stadium and will take steps together with the Malaysia Stadium Corporation in an effort to ensure the quality of the pitch is at a satisfactory level for the matches scheduled.
“To the supporters of Harimau Malaya, we hope that the aura of the national stadium prevalent during the 2023 Asian Cup Qualifiers last June will be able to continue in the upcoming matches,” he said in a statement today.
Malaysia are drawn in Group B with Vietnam, Singapore, Myanmar, and Laos in the competition which runs till January 16 next year.
The national team will host Laos on December 24 and Singapore on January 3.
Harimau Malaya will also have the opportunity to play at Bukit Jalil National Stadium if they qualify for the semi-finals, which will be held reciprocally on January 6 or 7 and January 9 or 10.
Malaysia have only won the AFF Cup once, the 2010 edition, since the biennial tournament began in 1996 and emerged as runners-up in 1996, 2014, and 2018.
Thailand has tasted the most success with six titles (1996, 2000, 2002, 2014, 2016, 2020), followed by Singapore with four (1998, 2004, 2007 and 2012), and Vietnam (2008 and 2018).
Meanwhile, Noor Azman also stated that another Tier 1 international friendly match between Malaysia and the Maldives will take place at Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium, Cheras on December 14. – Bernama, October 29, 2022
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