Iraq’s new football coach Zico yesterday slammed the synthetic pitch at Singapore’s Jalan Besar Stadium, saying it was not worthy of a World Cup qualifying match.
The Brazilian legend is looking for a win today to kick-start his team’s qualifying campaign after they lost their first match.
But he said: “I don’t like the field, the grass, because the good game is in the natural grass.
“It’s not professional, these middle games, the qualifiers of the World Cup needs the natural grass.
“This is difficult for our team because the Iraq team have good technique, and now the field is not good for us, not good.”
Zico, who signed on as Iraq’s coach eight days ago, repeated his gripe numerous times during a press conference in the city-state.
The coach – nicknamed the White Pele due to his prolific finishing record as a player – also said his team were tired after a “long” flight immediately after their game against Jordan on Friday.
And he said he had not had enough time to speak with and train the Iraqi players after he joined the team last Sunday, stating that “a miracle is not possible in football”.
Iraq currently lie at the bottom of their group after losing 2-0 against Jordan in their opening World Cup third-round qualifying match. Singapore are also pointless. after slumping to a 1-2 defeat against China.
The Brazilian legend is looking for a win today to kick-start his team’s qualifying campaign after they lost their first match.
But he said: “I don’t like the field, the grass, because the good game is in the natural grass.
“It’s not professional, these middle games, the qualifiers of the World Cup needs the natural grass.
“This is difficult for our team because the Iraq team have good technique, and now the field is not good for us, not good.”
Zico, who signed on as Iraq’s coach eight days ago, repeated his gripe numerous times during a press conference in the city-state.
The coach – nicknamed the White Pele due to his prolific finishing record as a player – also said his team were tired after a “long” flight immediately after their game against Jordan on Friday.
And he said he had not had enough time to speak with and train the Iraqi players after he joined the team last Sunday, stating that “a miracle is not possible in football”.
Iraq currently lie at the bottom of their group after losing 2-0 against Jordan in their opening World Cup third-round qualifying match. Singapore are also pointless. after slumping to a 1-2 defeat against China.
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