KUALA LUMPUR: The national football team have received a major boost as their away Asian Cup qualifier against Nepal will now be played at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) confirmed the venue change after Nepal’s proposed stadium failed to meet its requirements.
AFC general secretary Datuk Seri Windsor John said: “The Nov 18 match will be held at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium as the venue in Nepal did not get approval.”
It is the second venue switch for this fixture due to Nepal’s failure to provide a suitable stadium.
The first leg on March 25 was originally set for Nepal, but was moved to the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Johor after the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) requested a change because of maintenance work at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu.
Coach Peter Cklamovski’s men had been due to travel to Nepal for the second leg on Nov 18, but have been handed a stroke of luck as they will now play on home soil again.
The Malaysian Embassy in Kathmandu has advised Malaysians there to remain indoors after the Nepalese government extended a curfew in the capital.
Nepal’s Tribhuvan International Airport is temporarily closed, while the army has imposed further restrictions as unrest continues.
In March, Harimau Malaya defeated Nepal 2-0 in their first Group F meeting at the SSI.
They will conclude their group campaign against Vietnam on March 31 next year and currently top the table with two wins.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
