Estadio Olimpico pitch for Honduras v Australia World Cup qualifier sparks fan outrage

ANDREW Bogut has joined the chorus of fans rubbishing the terrible pitch in Honduras as Australia fights for its World Cup life.

Australia’s Aziz Behich fights Honduras’s Brayan Beckeles and the Estadio Olimpico pitch.

THE Socceroos were prepared for it a day out, but fans fell off their collective couches this morning when tuning into the World Cup qualifier away to Honduras.

San Pedro Sula’s Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano resembled a Flemington race track on a late afternoon of a wet Melbourne day.

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Honduras defied rules to train on it during the week. Familiarity aside, no doubt that contributed to its horrendous state, in addition to the epic overnight rainfall in San Pedro Sula.

Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou tailored his gameplan accordingly, adopting a more direct style.

The pitch affected the Socceroos’ best chance of the match, when a bobble saw Tomi Juric blast wide when he only had the keeper to beat.

But it was problematic for both teams, with a slip from defender Henry Figueroa enabling Juric to break free in the first place.

Former Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Bosnich compared it to English pitches from the 1970s, saying players could get stuck in the ground.

Bosnich said on Fox Sports the pitch’s poor condition could influence the result, making it hard to play a free-flowing, attacking game.

It infuriated Socceroos fans watching from home — including basketball star Andrew Bogut — who vented their feelings on social media.

Just tuned in. I think the stadium just had their local derby day yesterday judging by the condition of that pitch! #HONvAUS

— Andrew Bogut (@andrewbogut) November 10, 2017

looks like a monster truck has had a go on that pitch before this game, atrocious #HONvsAUS

— Maru (@melodymixa) November 10, 2017

Today’s pitch at the #HONvsAUS game. pic.twitter.com/MuVU9DpEJ6

— Joshua McCracken (@joshuamccracken) November 10, 2017

Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou said before the game his side would not be deterred by a heavy pitch.

“The pitch is not in a great condition,” he said. “It’s a little bit bumpy and a little bit soft.

“We were prepared for that - we understand it’s going to be hard to play the kind of football we want to play. We’ll adjust.”

During the week the Socceroos made tough work of running laps around the ground, appearing to sink into the pitch, which has different types of grass in different patches.

Anyone ever seen a worse pitch than this?#HONvsAUS

— Sam Colovic (@i_dream_of_meme) November 10, 2017

Pitch in good condition here! #WorldCupqualifiers #HONvsAUS pic.twitter.com/OFBZk50Hle

— jamesmagner (@jamesmag23) November 10, 2017

Absurd we have to play on a disgraceful pitch like this. #HONvsAUS #GoSocceroos

— Josh (@joshthorp23) November 10, 2017

The HONDURAS pitch.... @Punters pic.twitter.com/hSiSa23YWz

— Bradley Yewers (@yewey12) November 10, 2017