Socceroos unhappy with state of playing surface in win over Bangladesh

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold feared for the safety of players in Australia’s win over Bangladesh due to a “terrible” playing surface.

Kusini Yengi (second from left) is congratulated by his Socceroos teammate Mitch Duke after scoring against Bangladesh. Picture: Thananuwat Srirasant/Getty Images

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold has slammed the “dangerous” state of the pitch in Australia’s 2-0 win over Bangladesh, saying he feared for the “welfare” of his players.

Arnold said he was “proud” of his team for its effort on a heavy and wet Bashundhara Kings Arena playing surface in steamy conditions in Dhaka on Thursday night.

“We don’t normally play in these types of conditions,” Arnold said.

“The energy and the workrate from the boys was very good … (but the pitch) was terrible. It’s unacceptable.

“The field was dangerous. We talk about player welfare and you’re putting players on a field that players can get injured.

“It’s no shock to me that five or six players from Bangladesh went down with cramping … because that field is not good.”

Arnold’s sentiments were echoed by striker Kusini Yengi, who scored his second Socceroos goal in the FIFA World Cup qualifier.

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold wasn’t happy with the state of the pitch in Dhaka. Picture: Thananuwat Srirasant/Getty Images

“The weather conditions were difficult and the pitch wasn’t the best,” the Portsmouth forward said.

“The grass is too long, there’s too much water, it’s too muddy, it’s patchy, the ball holds up, and it’s a really soft surface, so when we’re running for the ball and both teams are contesting for the ball, it’s easy to slip and accidentally tackle someone, which you saw plenty of times out here.

“When it’s a soft pitch, your muscles have to work a lot harder, and that’s the reason why you see so many people go down with cramps.

“The surface is dangerous, not (just) for us, but for everyone, and it’s difficult to play the ball on. You hit it, and it slows down, it bobbles, not just for us but for Bangladesh as well.

“I’m sure if the surface was better both teams would be able to put on a better spectacle for the fans and for the people watching back at home in Australia as well.”

Arnold claimed Bangladesh played better when the Socceroos beat the Bengal Tigers 7-0 last November at AAMI Park.

“At AAMI Park in Melbourne, the field was a very good field, and they played some very good football,” the Socceroos boss said.

“Today they didn’t even really have a shot, and the field doesn’t help their performance.”

The win maintained the Socceroos’ perfect record in the second round of AFC World Cup qualifiers.

Arnold gave the Bayern Munich-bound Nestory Irankunda his Socceroos debut, with the 18-year-old winger starting the match before being replaced by former prodigy Daniel Arzani in the 64th minute.

“Nestor was very good. He’s got a lot to learn and a long way to go but it was great to see him on the pitch,” Arnold said.

The Australians can make it six wins from six second-round games when they host Palestine in Perth on Tuesday night.

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Originally published as Socceroos unhappy with state of playing surface in win over Bangladesh