KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 5 — The Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) is holding talks with the Malaysia Stadium Corporation (PSM) about the 21,000 seats at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil having to be ‘vacated’ for the first leg of the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Cup semi-final between Malaysia and defending champions Thailand on Saturday (January 7) at 8.30pm.
With all 59,000 tickets put up for sale online being snapped up in less than 24 hours, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said both parties would strive to help local fans to watch the match.
“I have discussed with PSM about the problem, where we have a clash of two big events in one week. We are doing our best and all that we can to lift the spirits of sports fans in Malaysia.
“So far, we are still discussing, that is all I can say. When we are ready, we will give all information,” she said when met by reporters after her visit to the National Sports Institute (NSI) in Bukit Jalil today.
Earlier, Yeoh and her deputy Adam Adli Abd Halim also visited the National Stadium here to survey the venue and discuss the ticketing issue for the AFF Cup semi-finals.
Yesterday, Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) secretary-general Noor Azman Rahman said 21,000 seats at the National Stadium had to be ‘vacated’ as they would be obstructed by the structure of the Jay Chou concert stage which was in the process of being installed.
The concert by the renowned Taiwanese singer is set to be held at the National Stadium on January 15.
After the first leg clash at Bukit Jalil, the Harimau Malaya will leave for Thailand for the return leg at the Thammasat Stadium in Pathum Thani, located north of Bangkok, on January 10.
Malaysia advanced to the semi-finals as runners-up of Group B with nine points after thumping Singapore 4 – 1 on Tuesday (January 3). Vietnam emerged as group champions with 10 points while Singapore was eliminated after finishing third with seven points.
If Malaysia can overcome six-time winners Thailand, they will take on either Vietnam or Indonesia in the two-legged final on January 13 and January 16.
— Bernama
