Sarawak Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Kuching, Malaysia. It is currently used mostly for football matches. The stadium has a capacity of 40,000 spectators.
History
It was built in 1995 for the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship. The stadium is adjacent to the old stadium, the State Stadium (Stadium Negeri) that was previously used to stage various tournaments and championship.
The stadium is the home of Sarawak FA, a local council football team. However, due to damaged facilities and stadium renovation, Sarawak FA currently playing in the State Stadium until the renovation complete before the 2016 Sukma Games.
The stadium also hosted the famous ''South American derby'' between Brazil and Argentina during the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship. Also famous footballer in the world who has played in the stadium are; Thierry Henry, Nicolas Anelka, David Trezeguet, Mikaël Silvestre, William Gallas, Walter Samuel, Esteban Cambiasso, Juan Román Riquelme, Pablo Aimar, Lionel Scaloni, Helton and Mickaël Landreau during the tournament.
The inaugural edition of the AFC Solidarity Cup was hosted in this stadium for the 2016 edition.
Facilities
The stadium was completed in April 1997, and is one of Asia's world-class stadiums. It consists of 4 levels, with an electronic multimedia scoreboard, manila grass football field with patented drainage and synthetic running track.
The stadium is also equipped with: VIP driveway 320 parking lots stadium office gymnasiums changing and massage rooms workshops canteen security control centre dope testing area medical clinics saunas prayer rooms facilities for the disabled and VVIPs.
Notable Matches
Quarter-final Match between Brazil and Argentina during the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship The 1998 Charity Shield match between Sarawak FA and Selangor FA Quarter-final Match of the 1998–99 Asian Cup Winners' Cup between Sarawak FA and Kashima Antlers of Japan. Fourth venue (Group D) to host matches of Malaysia, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and PSV Eindhoven for the Champions Youth Cup 2007. 2016 AFC Solidarity Cup