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Jalan Besar may be 2nd venue for Suzuki Cup

SINGAPORE — The ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup Group B matches scheduled to start on Nov 23 could be held at two stadiums, instead of just the National Stadium as initially planned.

A 3-1 first leg victory over Thailand at the Jalan Besar Stadium set Singapore to win the 2012 Suzuki Cup final. Singapore are the defending champions of the AFF’s flagship event. TODAY File Photo

A 3-1 first leg victory over Thailand at the Jalan Besar Stadium set Singapore to win the 2012 Suzuki Cup final. Singapore are the defending champions of the AFF’s flagship event. TODAY File Photo

SINGAPORE — The ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup Group B matches scheduled to start on Nov 23 could be held at two stadiums, instead of just the National Stadium as initially planned.

In light of the current less-than-ideal condition of the pitch at the 55,000-seater National Stadium, which was to have been a main venue for the biennial tournament, SportsHub Private Limited (SHPL) has called for the AFF to consider hosting some of the matches at the Jalan Besar Stadium.

An AFF delegation headed by its secretary-general Azzuddin Ahmad yesterday met SHPL officials in a bid to find a final solution as to whether the National Stadium pitch would be ready in six weeks’ time to host the popular regional tournament.

The hour-long meeting saw SHPL suggesting that, given the condition of the pitch, alternating the tournament matches between the National Stadium and the 8,000-seater Jalan Besar Stadium would be an ideal solution.

Singapore are the defending champions of the AFF’s flagship event, and have drawn Malaysia, Thailand and a qualifier for three rounds of group play here, with Hanoi in Vietnam hosting Group A.

With two matches per match day, a suggestion that only one match per day to be played at one venue, instead of the usual two, is the best possible way to maintain and safeguard the condition of the National Stadium pitch.

The top two teams of each group will advance to the semi-finals to be played on a home and away basis.

It is learnt that the SHPL also gave an assurance that from now until the Suzuki Cup kicks off, additional measures will be taken to ensure the quality of the pitch continues to improve.

This could mean the international rugby friendly on Nov 15 between the Maori All Blacks and aspiring Super rugby franchise the Asia Pacific Dragons at the National Stadium will be postponed or moved to a different venue.

The AFF issued a statement yesterday stating: “Today’s discussion with the Singapore Sports Hub saw all parties committed to finding a solution to the issue of the National Stadium pitch. AFF will deliberate on this matter and make a considered decision by next week.”

Meanwhile, SHPL and Sport Singapore (SportSG) have refused further comments on Tuesday’s statement from SportSG that it will hold SHPL accountable for the outcomes of their next actions, adding they would not be paying for what has not been delivered.

While SportSG did not bear the upfront cost for the S$1.33 billion Singapore Sports Hub, payment for the public-private-partnership (PPP) project will commence only when it is operationally ready and open for public use.

The contract also specified that the four sporting venues — the National Stadium, Singapore Indoor Stadium, Aquatic Centre and Indoor Arena — must also meet international standards in terms of playability.

TODAY understands the first payment was made in June, with SportSG committed to an annual payment for the facility over a period of 23 years.

With SportSG contending the National Stadium has failed to meet the required standards, the option to withhold further payment is being considered. ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY ADELENE WONG

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