KUALA LUMPUR — Oman’s national football head coach, Jaroslav Silhavy, openly admits that the bumpy pitch condition at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium not only affected his side but also influenced Malaysia’s gameplay.
The world’s 80th-ranked Oman defeated Harimau Malaya 2-0 in the 2026 World Cup/2027 Asian Cup qualifier yesterday.
This loss also marks Malaysia’s second consecutive defeat in the qualifiers against Oman in less than a week after losing to them with the same score on March 22 at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Muscat, Oman.
The 62-year-old Czechan, who was recently appointed as the head coach for Oman, said that his charges displayed a strong performance to overcome the unfavourable situation they were placed in.
“The match at Bukit Jalil was more difficult than the previous match we had in Muscat. The pitch condition was indeed bad, and it not only affected our gameplay but also impacted our opponent’s gameplay.
“But I made sure that the players were not distracted by the pitch condition, and they followed my plans and instructions very well. They gave their 100%, and that was what allowed us to prevail in this tough match.
“Overall, we were satisfied with our game, and I can’t take all the credit myself. The entire team played well, and I am proud of their performance.
“We mustn’t forget our supporters as they also came all the way from Oman to support our team. They left their work and came to support us, and without them, we would not have won this game,” said Jaroslav in a post-match conference.
The pitch at Bukit Jalil National Stadium can be seen tearing apart as it affected the gameplay of both sides, with players tumbling due to light challenges and tackles, especially on the flanks in yesterday’s match.
The match at the National Stadium saw a total of 26,499 fans attending, with half of the Malaysian fans leaving the stadium between the 85th and the 90th minute.
Malaysia currently is placed third in Group D of the 2026 World Cup/2027 Asian Cup qualifier after yesterday’s defeat, with six points. — March 27, 2024