Damaged pitch forces Maldives to play World Cup qualifying matches in China
The Maldives will have to play both legs of its 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against China away from home after Independence Day celebrations left the national stadium’s pitch damaged beyond use.
22 Aug 2015, 9:00 AM
The Maldives will have to play both legs of its 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against China away from home after Independence Day celebrations left the national stadium’s pitch damaged beyond use.
The pitch was covered with a turf protector for a three-hour drill depicting Maldivian history as part of celebratory activities held to mark the golden jubilee of independence from the British on July 26. The stadium’s grass was severely damaged when the protector was lifted after two weeks.
The Football Association of Maldives (FAM) announced last week that it was trying to arrange for the home match originally scheduled for September 8 to be held in Shenyang, China as an away game and to play the second leg scheduled for March 24 in Malé.
However, FAM general secretary Bassam Adeel Jaleel told local media today that the second leg will also be held in China.
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