The PH team was led by Akmal Nasir of PKR, who is deputy minister for energy transition and water transformation, while PN’s side was led by its election director, Sanusi Nor, who is Kedah menteri besar.

The nearly one-hour match at the Taman Pekatra field in Simpang Ampat here gathered local and central youth leaders from both sides, Bernama reported.

Akmal’s team included Faiz Subri, winner of the 2016 Puskas Fifa award, former national striker Norshahrul Idlan Talaha, or Mat Yo, as well as Petaling Jaya and Kuching MPs Lee Chean Chung and Dr Kelvin Yii.

Sanusi’s line-up included former national footballer Baddrol Bakhtiar.

After the match, Akmal said it was a positive sign that Malaysia’s political culture was becoming more mature, reducing the elements of provocation and extremism.

“At elections, we may come from different teams, but in reality, we can play ball together that concludes well before we return to the election campaign tonight,” he said.

Sanusi described the match as a beginning of greater cooperation in the future, besides helping to turn down the campaigning temperature.

Among the spectators were PKR vice-president Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, Selangor PH chairman Amirudin Shari, Negeri Sembilan PH chairman Aminuddin Harun and PH candidate Joohari Ariffin.

Joohari is up against PN candidate Abidin Ismail in the contest for the Sungai Bakap state assembly seat on July 6.