AFF SUZUKI CUP: FAM picks Bukit Jalil Stadium as second-leg venue

The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has selected the Bukit Jalil National Stadium (BJNS) as the venue for the 2014 AFF Suzuki Cup final second-leg between Malaysia and Thailand on Dec 20.

Its secretary-general, Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin said the stadium was the most suitable venue, considering the importance of the match and the pride it would bring to Malaysians.

"We expect all tickets to be sold out and it is the most suitable venue as it can accommodate more viewers, about 90,000 people, as compared to just 70,000 at the Shah Alam Stadium," he told reporters after inspecting the pitch at the national stadium, together with Asean Football Federation (AFF) secretary-general Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad.

Hamidin said he and Azzuddin were satisfied with the condition of the pitch, which was much better in comparison to other venues where the AFF Suzuki Cup matches had been held this year.

Meanwhile, Azzuddin also agreed with Hamidin on the pitch's condition, adding that it was fit for hosting a match as important as the AFF Suzuki Cup final.

The former FAM secretary-general said based on his observation, the pitch at the BJNS was at least 40 per cent better than previous venues in the competition, including the My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi, Vietnam, which was the venue of the semi-finals second-leg between Malaysia and Vietnam on Thursday.

Malaysia Stadium Corporation chairman Datuk Rozabil Abdul Rahman said he was happy when BJNS was picked to host the finals as they had been working hard to improve the pitch since a month ago.

"Both the FAM and AFF have given the green light that BJNS fulfills all criteria and everyone can see that the pitch is in much better condition than before," he said.

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin had previously instructed the BJNS authorities to close the stadium to restore the pitch after the Malaysia Cup finals between Pahang and Johor Darul Ta'zim on Nov 1.

The change of pitch at the stadium had cost RM1.5 million with two variants, the Cow Grass and the Bermuda Green Mountain having been tried out.