Hannah Looking Into 21 000 Unsold Seats For Aff Cup Semifinal

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Fans are unhappy that seats at a section of the National Stadium could not be sold. (Twitter pic)KUALA LUMPUR: The youth and sports ministry is looking into the 21,000 seats at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil which had to be left vacant for the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Cup semifinal match between Malaysia and defending champions Thailand due to an upcoming concert by Taiwanese singer Jay Chou.
Football fans have voiced their displeasure on social media over having fewer tickets available for the first leg of the semifinal match on Jan 7.
“I have discussed with Malaysia Stadium Corporation about the problem, where we have a clash of two big events in one week. We are doing our best to lift the spirits of sports fans in Malaysia.
“So far, we are still discussing, that is all I can say,” minister Hannah Yeoh said when met by reporters after her visit to the National Sports Institute in Bukit Jalil today.
All 59,000 tickets put up for sale online for the semifinal match between Malaysia and Thailand were snapped up in less than 24 hours.
After the first leg clash at Bukit Jalil, Harimau Malaya will leave for Thailand for the return leg at the Thammasat Stadium in Pathum Thani, in Bangkok, on Jan 10.
If Malaysia can overcome six-time winners Thailand, they will take on either Vietnam or Indonesia in the two-legged final on Jan 13 and 16.
Yesterday, Football Association of Malaysia secretary-general Noor Azman Rahman said 21,000 seats at the National Stadium had to be left vacant as the view would be obstructed by the structure of the stage for the Jay Chou concert which was being installed.
The concert by the renowned Taiwanese singer will be held at the National Stadium on Jan 15. - FMT

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