PETALING JAYA: Coach Kim Pan Gon hopes the field contractors at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil will deliver a playable pitch when Harimau Malaya take on Oman in a World Cup Group D qualifier tomorrow.
Pan Gon, the players and the fans are concerned about the condition of the stadium's pitch, with some "not so impressive" photos appearing on social media over the last few days.
On Sunday, Timesport also captured an aerial view picture of the pitch, revealing visible brown patches.
Harimau Malaya hope the pitch will hold up, as the team need the points after losing to the Red Warriors 2-0 in Muscat last week. Due to
the poor pitch condition, both teams will not get to test the field later today.
During the pre-match conference at Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya today, Pan Gon said he could not confirm whether the pitch was in a good state.
"I haven't seen the pitch yet. However, the stadium technicians and contractors have promised it will be in good condition on match day, and we are waiting to see that tomorrow.
"We need and are expecting the pitch to be in good condition, and tomorrow, I want to see a good pitch," said Pan Gon.
Meanwhile, Oman coach Jaroslav Silhavy said: "Unfortunately, we were told about the weather conditions in Malaysia, that it has been raining a lot, and that the field will not be good or ready for the match.
However, we are physically, tactically, and psychologically prepared for whatever conditions. We know it won't be a good field, and we won't be training there. Both teams won't be, so it's not good for either of us," said Silhavy.
Oman will conduct their official training at the MBPJ Stadium in Kelana Jaya, while Harimau Malaya will train at Wisma FAM.
Some fans have claimed that the stadium's pitch is not in good condition after Ed Sheeran's concert on February 24.