Asian Cup 2015: Socceroos star Robbie Kruse hits out at ‘disgrace’ of a pitch in Brisbane

IT’S meant to be the Titanic clash of the group, but Robbie Kruse has warned the Socceroos’ game with South Korea could be sabotaged by a “disgrace” of a pitch.

Asian Cup 2015 - Socceroos v Oman at Stadium Australia in Sydney. Australia's Robbie Kruse in action. Picture: Toby Zerna

IT’S meant to be the Titanic clash of the group, but Robbie Kruse has warned that the Socceroos’ game with South Korea on Saturday could be sabotaged by a “disgrace” of a pitch at Brisbane Stadium.

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Fresh from a man of the match display in Australia’s 4-0 win over Oman on Tuesday that secured qualification from the group, Kruse warned that Korea will give the Socceroos their sternest test yet at the Asian Cup as both sides vie to finish top.

Returning to Suncorp Stadium for only the second time since quitting Brisbane Roar in 2011, Kruse said he was keen to play for a third time in eight days in front of his extended family as he bids to make missing the World Cup through injury “a distant memory”.

Concerns before the tournament about the Suncorp surface have been realised on a patchy and uneven field, and Kruse said it had long been substandard.

“I’ve seen the pitch, it’s a disgrace and not up to the standard it should be,” Kruse said.

“Brisbane has never had a good surface for as long as I can remember and I don’t understand why.

“Melbourne was very good (at AAMI Park) — obviously rugby league plays hard on that (Suncorp) surface, they have Test matches and a lot of concerts as well but it’s not good. It makes it difficult to play football.

“It’s the same for both teams, we’ll both be wanting to play football on it which will be difficult but it’s no excuse in the end.”

South Korea have been far less convincing than Australia so far, beating both Oman and Kuwait by just a single goal each — though their squad was heavily affected by a virus that left several players incapacitated in Canberra on Tuesday night.

But Kruse said he knew first-hand what a threat they would pose, especially having to beat Australia to leapfrog them in the group.

“Obviously Korea are one of the strongest teams in Asian so it’s going to be very tough,” he said.

“I’m very familiar with the team — I play with possibly their best player at Bayer Leverkeusen, Heung-Min Son, he’s fantastic. He got rested along with a number of players (v Kuwait) and I heard they were lucky to scrape through with a win.

“Kuwait hit the post, the same as Oman, and people say these teams are no good but they pushed Korea all the way. They’ll be fresh for this game, and I’m sure there’ll be more changes to face us.

“First and foremost we’re through to the next round and now we can focus on a good performance in Brisbane. I’ve heard it’s close to sold out and I’ve had to get so many extra tickets for my friends and family. It will be a great occasion for me and hopefully I can back up and play again.

“But that’s two games for me in four or five days so we’ll have to see. My whole rehab I was focusing on the Asian Cup. If the team does well then the World Cup will be a distant memory for me, that’s my goal.”

Originally published as Asian Cup 2015: Socceroos star Robbie Kruse hits out at ‘disgrace’ of a pitch in Brisbane