Malaysian stadiums closed until AFC Asian Cup

Malaysia's National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, one of the South East Asian venues for the Asian Football Confederation's 2007 Asian Cup, will be closed until July next year. "The field at the stadium is being returfed by the National Sports Complex (KSN) management. The field will be closed until the Asian Cup, except for a few trial or friendly matches," said Football Association of Malaysia vice-president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah at a media conference after visiting the stadium. He was accompanied by AFC general secretary Peter Vellapan, FAM general secretary Datuk Seri Dr Ibrahim Saad, KSN chairman Datuk Seri Syed Razlan Syed Putra Jamalullail and several representatives of FAM and AFC.

"Based on the information given by the KSN chairman, the field needs at least three to four months more to be more stable. The field will be tested and will be used for the Asia Cup in July," said Tengku Abdullah, as quoted by Bernama newsagency. He said returfing of the field had started 11 months ago. The Shah Alam Stadium has been accepted by the AFC as Malaysia's alternative venue.