KUALA LUMPUR: The virus has forced two teams from Sarawak to be based in Peninsular Malaysia for the early part of the new M-League season which starts on March 5. For their first four matches, at least, Sarawak United and Kuching City FC will not get to enjoy any home advantage in the Premier League.

Sarawak has been enlisted as the Covid-19 red zone, Causing all inbound travellers into a 14-day quarantine. Sarawak United and Kuching FC have decided to get around the problem by shifting their first four league matches across the South China Sea to the peninsula.

Sarawak United have made an “early request” to use Selayang Stadium, However, to play at Selayang Stadium, the Sarawak sides will need to adjust for the difficulty of playing in the late afternoon heat (4.45 pm kickoff).

Sarawak United technical director B. Satiananthan admitted it would be tough for his men, given the current weather.

“We cannot get a stadium (that enables the usual 8.45 pm kickoff) because they are all taken up,” he said.

Sarawak United’s first match is against Kelantan United on March 6 at Selayang Stadium while Kuching FC will have to wait for a venue confirmation for their March 9 clash with Terengganu FC II.