MANY fans say the best playing pitch in the M-League is at the Tan Sri Hassan Yunos Stadium, Larkin, the home of Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT),
But if you ask JDT owner, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, the answer is different.
Tunku Ismail, who has literally changed the local football landscape for the better, especially about facilities and amenities, is really impressed by the pitch at the Likas Stadium in Kota Kinabalu.
In a recent interview with Astro Arena, the Regent of Johor said the Likas Stadium, the home of Premier League champions Sabah, is home to the best field in the country.
The former Malaysian Football League (MFL) chairman said he rates the Likas Stadium’s pitch as No 1 in Malaysia with Larkin’s Tan Sri Hassan Yunos Stadium’s pitch as No 2.
Tunku Ismail said making the pitch a top priority is one of the most valuable lessons he learnt from the time he spent with Borussia Dortmund’s executives.
Players and coaches rate the Likas pitch highly because its grass is well cut, making a delight for Malaysian teams who generally prefer short passing. And the Likas field is so well kept that there are no divots that affect the flow of the game.
Timesport asked several local coaches and players which M-League venues they prefer and why.
B. SATIANANTHAN
(Selangor coach and president of the Malaysian Football Coaches Association)
“I think Likas Stadium has a good field. JDT’s (Tan Sri Hassan Yunos Stadium) turf is very nice too. Pahang’s Darul Makmur Stadium’s pitch is a bit inconsistent (in maintenance). Selangor’s SUK field is also one of the best.
DATUK ONG KIM SWEE
(National Under-23 coach)
“I think JDT’s pitch (Tan Sri Hassan Yunos Stadium) is the best but now I can also say Selangor has followed suit with their newly upgraded training ground (Padang SUK, Shah Alam). But, it has to be maintained properly.”
AKRAM MAHINAN
(PKNS captain and national player)
“I will go for Kedah’s Darulaman Stadium. The surface of the field is very nice because the grass isn’t too thick, so it’s nice to play on. The Tan Sri Hassan Yunos Stadium has a nice pitch...before every match they will sprinkle it with water and that makes passing the ball even better. I think this is probably the secret to making it better to play on.”
NIDZAM JAMIL
(Felda United head coach and
former national player)
“I think the Darulaman Stadium in Kedah is the best. They have good grass, which is even and short. They also have a pretty great dressing room and the fans’ atmosphere there is always great.”
HAFIZUL HAKIM KHAIRUL NIZAM JOTHY
(Perak goalkeeper and national player)
“It has to be the Likas Stadium. Last year when we played there (Kota Kinabalu) during the Malaysia Cup semi-finals, the quality of the pitch was excellent. Despite the heavy rain, the field held up. So, for me, the best turf I’ve ever played on is definitely Sabah’s Likas Stadium.”
N. THANABALAN
(Kedah striker and former national player)
“I think the field at Darulaman Stadium is pretty good. It makes for good football and perfect for the atmosphere that the fans bring on match days.”