GELORA BUNG KARNO STADIUM IS VENUE FOR AFF SUZUKI CUP FINAL

JAKARTA, Dec 28 (Bernama) -- The Asean Football Federation (AFF) has agreed
that the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium here remains as the venue for the second-leg
final of the AFF Suzuki Cup between Malaysia and Indonesia this Wednesday.

The decision was stated by AFF vice-president Rafi Khyk after inspecting the
stadium which was said to have a damaged pitch and some other stadium facilities
as well following rioting by some football fans yesterday evening when they
failed to get tickets to the final.

"The field is fit for use for the second-leg final on Dec 29 but prior to
that, it cannot be used for training," said Khyk.

Besides the turf, the AFF team also inspected the other stadium facilities
like the fencing separating the fans and the media area which were declared fit
for use.

Meanwhile, Football Associatioon of Indonesia secretary-general Nugraha
Besoes said the rehabilitation of the stadium was on-going for the next two
days, especially the grass which was newly replaced after being damaged by the
fans Sunday.

Following Sunday's riot, AFF threatened to move the Malaysia-Indonesia
second-leg final to a neutral place if the pitch is deeemed unsuitable.

In the first-leg match at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur,
last night, Malaysia thrashed Indonesia 3-0.

-- BERNAMA