KUALA LUMPUR: The coming of VAR (video assistant referee) to Malaysian football is not wonderful news for KL City FC.
This has led to KL City "losing" their home ground advantage against Oman's Al-Seeb in the AFC Cup final next weekend.
The AFC final was originally scheduled to be held at KLFA Stadium in Cheras. But as the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil is the only venue in Malaysia that supports the utilisation of VAR, which will be implemented for the first time in the country, the Asian Football Confederation felt that the AFC Cup final should be held there.
But KL City fans are unhappy with the move as they feel that their team will lose whatever home ground advantage that they have.
On Friday, over 200 KL fans at Bukit Jalil protested against the change of venue.
They claim that the KL team always play well at KLFA Stadium. In fact, the team turned it into a fortress last season. staying unbeaten in the Super League the whole season.
Khairul Nizam, a KL fan, said he is dismayed that the AFC Cup final has been taken away from their stomping ground.
"I'm disappointed the KLFA Stadium will not be the venue for the AFC Cup final. It's KL's home and it's easier to fill. The atmosphere would be just great for our team."
Another fan, Hazeem Din is also upset that KL won't be able to play at home.
"It is different when you play at KLFA Stadium compared to Bukit Jalil because people know that is KL's home.
"Having the final at Bukit Jalil means there's no real home advantage for KL.
"Playing at Cheras, the pitch is closer to the stands, so the atmosphere is better there while at Bukit Jalil it's too far apart, and if there are not that many supporters, there would be a big gap due the difference in capacity (KLFA Stadium seats 18,000 fans compared to the National Stadium's 88,000).
"The KL team are used to playing in Cheras, and playing in Bukit Jalil means they will need to adapt to the pitch there."
Nonetheless, the comforting news for the City Boys is that the last time they played at the National Stadium, they amazingly beat Super League champions Johor Darul Ta'zim 2-0 to win the Malaysia Cup for the first time in 32 years.