THE FA of Singapore (FAS) will propose the 4,100-capacity Bishan Stadium, Choa Chu Kang Stadium and Jalan Besar Stadium to the Asean Football Federation (AFF) as alternatives to the National Stadium for next month’s AFF Cup matches.
This comes after the FA of Malaysia (FAM) had lodged a protest with AFF over FAS’ proposal to host some of the Group B matches on the artificial pitch at Jalan Besar Stadium.
Thailand are also against the move while Myanmar, who won the AFF Qualifiers in Laos recently, have yet to make a stand.
Sports Hub, who manages National Stadium, had initially proposed only Jalan Besar Stadium as an alternative venue. But now, AFF can choose one of the three venues proposed by FAS.
Malaysia are willing to play at any grass venue in Singapore but not at Jalan Besar Stadium. They had proposed Yishun Stadium but the venue is now a training ground for Singapore’s national team.
The Bishan Stadium and the 4,600-capacity Choa Chu Kang Stadium are venues for S-League’s Warriors and Home United respectively. Both venues are sanctioned by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for the Champions League and the AFC Cup.
It is understood that Singapore, who are co-hosting the tournament with Vietnam, will play all their Group B matches at the National Stadium while the other undecided venue will host the other three games.
The 55,000-capacity National Stadium has been deemed unplayable by several teams, including Brazil and Japan, since it opened in July. And Sports Hub feels it cannot host all six matches in the AFF Cup.
“We want to play on grass. The AFF Cup is a prestigious tournament and it will not do justice to the event if some of its matches are played on an artificial pitch,” said FAM general-secretary Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin yesterday.
“I heard FAS has proposed three venues. I hope Jalan Besar Stadium will not be picked. It will be unfair if Singapore get to play all their matches at National Stadium while other teams play two matches each at Jalan Besar Stadium. We, however, will be fine with this arrangement if the alternative venue has a grass pitch.”
National coach Dollah Salleh said: “I hope we will get to play our matches on grass. The quality of football is always better on grass provided the surface is not bumpy.”
Hamidin said Malaysia will not withdraw from the tournament if Jalan Besar Stadium is picked as the tournament’s alternative venue.
The decision by Dollah to conduct a one-week training camp, starting on Nov 3, in Johor Baru has fuelled speculation that Larkin Stadium could host several AFF Cup matches but Hamidin brushed it aside stating that no proposal has been made so far.
AFF secretary-general Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad said: “We are confident that Sports Hub will deliver a playable pitch.” By Ajitpal Singh