KUALA LUMPUR: Just before the kicked off at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil tonight, all eyes were on the zeon zoysia grass on the field.
Will it hold well or will grass fly when boots smash into the pitch?
This is the first time the two teams are setting foot on the field after it was closed for official training to Malaysia and Kyrgyzstan to preserve the grass quality for the Group D opening match.
It seemed to be in good shape tonight.
At last month's Merdeka Tournament, the pitch was heavily criticised as patches of grass 'peeled' off less than 15 minutes into the game as Malaysia won 4-2 against India.
Since then, the grass at the National Stadium has been given time to take roots.