Asian Cup 2015: Socceroos Massimo Luongo and Matt McKay play down concerns over Suncorp pitch

FOR Socceroo Massimo Luongo, the much-maligned Suncorp Stadium surface is a dream compared to the some of the pitches he experiences in English football.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 17: Robbie Kruse of the Socceroos takes a shot at goal during the 2015 Asian Cup match between Australia and Korea Republic at Suncorp Stadium on January 17, 2015 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

FOR Socceroos midfielder Massimo Luongo, the much-maligned Suncorp Stadium playing surface is a dream compared to the some of the pitches he experiences on a weekly basis playing in third-tier of English football.

The Suncorp Stadium pitch has copped plenty of criticism since the start of the Asian Cup and will be heavily scrutinised on Thursday night when Australia and China meet for spot in the semi-finals.

The six-yard boxes were re-laid on Sunday ahead of Monday night’s Group C clash between Iran and the United Arab Emirates and more work is expected before Thursday to have the pitch in the best possible condition.

LUONGO SAYS BEST IS YET TO COME

OPINION: IT’S TIME ANGE UNLEASHES BRESCIANO

HILL: WHY CUP’S BEEN A RAGING SUCCESS

CHINA COACH PERRIN JOINS PITCH CRITICS

The Socceroos have talked down suggestions the Suncorp pitch was at blame for their loss.

Luongo said he noticed the ball “bobbled” in Australia’s 1-0 weekend loss to South Korea, but was happy enough with the surface.

“It’s nothing I haven’t experienced before,” the Swindon Town star said.

“Playing in League One you get much worse pitches. That (Suncorp Stadium) was soft and stable, so I can’t complain.”

His only issue stemmed from when he got tired towards the end of the match, which was played in humid conditions.

“When fatigue kicks in, and the ball’s not really travelling itself, it plays different,” Luongo said.

But it’s still better than playing on a “rock hard” Notts County pitch, or the “sandpit” at Doncaster.

“It’s fine for me,” he said.

GOAL CENTRE: Watch every Asian Cup goal & vote for your favourite.

Luongo’s Socceroos teammate and Brisbane Roar skipper Matt McKay — whose club home ground is Suncorp Stadium — agreed.

“I’ve played on Suncorp for 15 years now, I’ve seen it good, I’ve seen it bad … it was fine the other night (against South Korea),” McKay said.

“For me it’s all about the stadium and the atmosphere.

“I’ve got no issues. Everyone knows the hand we’ve been dealt. You have to take a few more touches on some occasions, but we still played some fluent one touch stuff the other day.

“It’s time to move on from the pitch. We look at the way we have to pay our game and still try and play the way we want to play.

“The pitch isn’t going to stop us from trying to play that way. We are not going to change our tactics because of the state of the pitch.”

Despite being permitted to train at the venue on Wednesday because they did not have a session at the ground before their clash with South Korea, the Socceroos will train elsewhere, which will further lighten the load on the surface.

Originally published as Asian Cup 2015: Socceroos Massimo Luongo and Matt McKay play down concerns over Suncorp pitch