On The Attack: Sydney and Brisbane players slam Suncorp Stadium playing surface
Both Sydney and Brisbane’s players have hit out at the Suncorp Stadium playing surface with the PFA asking for A-League games to be played at a “more appropriate venue” in Queensland.
Football expert Marco Monteverde and Socceroos legend Robbie Slater debate the big issues ahead of the next weekend of A-League action.
SURFACE SMASHED
The Suncorp Stadium playing surface has been panned by Brisbane Roar and Sydney FC players, leading to justified calls from Professional Footballers Australia to find an “appropriate venue” for top-flight football in Queensland’s capital city.
Following Sydney’s 3-2 win over the Roar last Friday night, five players were asked to provide a pitch rating.
On a scale of one to five, three players gave the surface, parts of which had been re-laid due to a recent concert, one star.
Another rated the surface a two-star quality, with one player giving it a three, because “different parts of the pitch were of different quality”, according to the PFA.
The surface was also criticised for being “too fast” and “too hard”. Other comments included “pitch atrocious”, “like a glass ice rink” and “different types of grass in different areas which made it difficult to read the roll of the ball”.
“The playing surface at Suncorp Stadium for Brisbane Roar’s match against Sydney FC on Friday night was unacceptable once again,” PFA co-chief executive officer Beau Busch said.
“Players, fans, Brisbane Roar, and Australian football deserve better. Neither A-League players nor the Matildas or Socceroos will accept our sport being deprioritised.
“More concerts are scheduled during this season and next, and our experience over the past 12 months tells us that will mean more compromised surfaces.”
The match “atmosphere” was also rubbished with an average rating of 1.8 stars, with the crowd of 8276 dwarfed in 52,500-capacity venue.
The lack of atmosphere wasn’t helped by the Roar closing the majority of the stadium, with most supporters seated one side of the field.
Unfortunately the television cameras were also on the same side of the field, leading to awful vision of whole stands of empty seats.
Roar officials say they asked for the cameras to be moved to the other side of the field so fans could be seen during the game, but claim that broadcaster Paramount Plus refused the request.
“The stadium is also not suitable for regular A-League matches to ensure a great atmosphere for fans and players,” Busch said.
“Clubs in other states have benefited from investments in their stadium infrastructure around major events, while Queenslanders get left behind.
“We call on the new Queensland government to deliver an appropriate venue for club football as part of its current review.”
Roar chief operations officer Zac Anderson said the club wanted to “create better economic outcomes for Brisbane”.
“Brisbane has so much sporting content that is waiting to be unlocked,” Anderson said.
“Our professional football content can support this venture to unlock better outcomes for Brisbane.”
Despite the Roar’s issues with Suncorp Stadium, they must not move back to Dolphin Stadium at Redcliffe under any circumstances.
That shocking decision a few years ago led to many fans no longer going to games.
Yes, a solution needs to be found, and the best way to get more people to Suncorp Stadium is for the team to start winning again.
Crowds of at least 10,000 should be attending Brisbane home games.
DECISION TIME
Wanderers coach Alen Stajcic has a huge decision to make regarding his use of former Manchester United and Chelsea star Juan Mata.
Going into Friday night’s clash against Newcastle at CommBank Stadium, the Wanderers are in desperate need of a win.
One point from its opening three games isn’t good enough for a club of the Wanderers size, and the pressure is already on Stajcic, who took over from Marko Rudan in the off-season.
The signing of Spanish veteran Mata created plenty of off-field hype, but is yet to lead to results.
It’s perhaps a similar situation to when Sydney FC had Italian great Alessandro Del Piero on its books for two years.
As good as Del Piero was in producing some moments of magic, the Sky Blues didn’t win anything while he was there because they didn’t base their game around the Italian legend.
Stajcic, therefore, needs to decide whether to change the Wanderers’ style of play to fit in with Mata, which many believe he should considering the class of the World Cup winner.
If Mata is to start and dominate games, he needs to stay deep, be given the ball at all times possible and control the play.
That means the Wanderers can’t press as much, as that exposes Mata when teams get through the press, as Adelaide United did in the first half of its 4-3 win at CommBank Stadium last Saturday.
If Stajcic elects not to change Western Sydney’s style, then Mata shouldn’t start and instead be used in a super-sub role at the end of matches to provide a matchwinning moment.
PITY FOR CITY
Can Melbourne City cope for a lengthy period of time without key attacking pair Andrew Nabbout and Marco Tilio?
In the case of Nabbout, City has no choice but to overcome his absence after the former Socceroo was ruled out for the rest of the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee.
Tilio, on loan to City from Scottish giants Celtic, will be sidelined for at least six weeks with a partial tear to his hamstring tendon.
Having lost Jamie Maclaren in the off-season, and with Mathew Leckie having recently battled injury problems, City’s attacking arsenal is being severely compromised.
No doubt the club will be doing its best to find a suitable injury-replacement player for Nabbout, but that’s never easy.
The January transfer window can’t come soon enough for City, but even then there’s no guarantee about finding the right player.
For now, City coach Aurelio Vidmar must focus on the task of beating the Glory in Perth on Sunday night.
While the Glory’s start to the season has been poor, they have a real chance to pounce on a vulnerable Melbourne outfit that will also be without suspended skipper Aziz Behich.
A-LEAGUE ROUND 4
FRIDAY
Western Sydney Wanderers v Newcastle Jets
CommBank Stadium, 7.35pm (AEDT)
If the Wanderers lose again at home, it will be a disaster.
SATURDAY
Melbourne Victory v Brisbane Roar
AAMI Park, 5pm (AEDT)
It’s hard to see anything but a Victory win over a struggling Roar.
Adelaide United v Western United
Coopers Stadium, 7.05pm (local), 7.35pm (AEDT)
Western United coach John Aloisi will return home to Adelaide intent on guiding his side to its first win of the season.
SUNDAY
Central Coast Mariners v Wellington Phoenix
Industree Group Stadium, 4pm (AEDT)
The Phoenix could be vulnerable after losing last weekend’s New Zealand derby, and the Mariners must pounce
Sydney FC v Macarthur FC
Allianz Stadium, 6pm (AEDT)
Luke Brattan would love nothing better than to inspire the Bulls to a win over his former club.
Perth Glory v Melbourne City
HBF Park, 5.45pm (local), 8.45pm (AEDT)
The Glory can’t waste the chance to capitalise on a depleted City.
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