The Malaysian Football League (MFL) announced that there will be no group stage action for the TM Piala Malaysia 2022 format where all teams will be drawn to start the challenge in the round of 16 teams.
The decision of the MFL Board of Directors was reached after taking into account several factors, particularly the current calendar density and the impact on the Malaysia Cup with worrying weather forecasts towards the end of the year which will not give the MFL any room for postponement if needed.
Therefore, the absence of matches at the group level can give space and time to the clubs and also the MFL which at the same time balances the quality of one of the oldest tournaments in Asia as well as ensuring the prevention of player injuries.
“On 29 September 2022, MFL held a meeting with the Malaysian Meteorological Department where they informed that there will be heavy rain in the month of October until December 2022.”
Furthermore, the Malaysian government has issued a warning that there will be a large tide phenomenon that will cause flooding in almost all states in Malaysia in the coming months.
“The 2022 Malaysia League schedule is very tight due to the postponement of some unavoidable matches at the beginning of the 2022 season due to the spread of Covid-19 in some teams and also important national team tournaments.”
Accordingly, the TM Malaysia Cup 2022 format will be played starting from the round of 16 teams on a reciprocal basis, so there will be no group stage matches this year.*
“This is because if the match cannot be played/postponed/stopped due to unavoidable things, especially weather factors, with the available time, it allows the match that cannot be played/postponed/stopped to continue to be played the next day or at any time which data is deemed suitable by the MFL and also takes into account the fact that most of the players’ contracts will end at the end of November 2022 if there is still a postponement of the Malaysia Cup TM match.”
“With the absence of group stage matches, the new TM Piala Malaysia 2022 competition schedule will provide”
- Make room in the schedule if the match cannot be played or postponed due to unavoidable things especially weather factors and can be played the next day or on any date deemed appropriate by the MFL.
- Giving the opportunity to get enough rest to maintain the fitness level and performance of the players to guarantee competitive matches and also prioritizing injury prevention.
- Gives the team more time for logistics and match management to be well prepared, orderly and safe.
- Allowing the field repair and maintenance team to be carried out more efficiently to ensure the condition of the field is at its best.
If Kuala Lumpur City qualifies for the AFC Cup Finals, the TM Piala Malaysia 2022 tournament which celebrates its 101st anniversary this year will open the curtain on 25 and 26 October 2022.
If Kuala Lumpur City Doesn’t Qualify for the AFC Cup Finals, the TM Piala Malaysia 2022 tournament which celebrates its 101st anniversary this year will open the curtain on 21 and 22 October 2022.
This season, the TM Piala Malaysia 2022 2022 format will feature the round of 16 matches of the best teams held on a reciprocal basis followed by the quarter-finals (reciprocal) and the semi-finals (reciprocal) where the final action of the TM Malaysia Cup will take place at a neutral venue on 26 November 2022.
Credit Photo : Emmer Farid/SNE Images
