Asian Cup organisers move to fix Brisbane pitch
Brisbane (Australia) (AFP) - Asian Cup organisers on Sunday moved to patch up Brisbane's bobbly pitch after a welter of complaints and as Australia prepare to play a quarter-final there.
Australia's coach Ange Postecoglou said he was "not happy" with the surface after Saturday's 1-0 loss to South Korea, which meant Australia will return to Brisbane Stadium for their last-eight clash with China.
Tournament organisers said turf will be re-laid in both six-yard boxes, and they also took the unusual step of moving pre-match training sessions for Iran and UAE, who play in Brisbane on Monday, away from the venue.
"The official training sessions for UAE and Iran scheduled for Brisbane Stadium later today have been moved to preserve the pitch for the remaining matches," Australian organisers said in a statement.
"Stadium management have advised today that the turf will be re-laid in the six-yard boxes at the north and south of the pitch," they added.
Following Australia's loss to South Korea, Postecoglou said: "I'm not happy with the pitch. That is going to be a bit of a challenge for us (in the quarter-finals) on Thursday."
Australia striker earlier labelled the surface as a "disgrace", while China coach Alain Perrin has been complaining about it since the start of the tournament.
"It doesn't deserve (to be in) the competition," said the Frenchman, calling it "very, very, very, very bad".
After Monday's game, stadium staff have two clear days to get the pitch in shape for Australia's quarter-final with China, which will be Brisbane's last match of the Asian Cup.
