Aussies unhappy with training pitch
Reuters - Friday 04 June 2010, 13:37
JOHANNESBURG - Australia's World Cup squad
are unhappy about the quality of the training pitch they will
move to ahead of their first group D match and are considering
using a new ground.
Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek said on Friday the field at the
Ruimsig stadium, near Johannesburg, had deteriorated over the
past year.
"We are thinking, of course, about plan B and plan C but
let's see first tomorrow how it looks," he told reporters ahead
of a warmup match against the United States to be played at the
ground.
Australia move to a new base just outside the city after the
friendly and will train at Ruimsig following 10 days at a
Johannesburg school.
They face Germany in their first group game on June 12, and
then play Ghana (June 19) and Serbia (June 23).
Verbeek said a change of venue would be good for the team
and could help their mental preparations before the crucial
Germany match. However, he said he hoped the training pitch
would hold up.
"When I was here last year it was fantastic already so I
don't know what has happened," he said. "On the other hand it is
just 10 days...I'm not so sure we will destroy the pitch in 10
days but if that's the case I think we will have to find another
place."
Midfielder Brett Emerton will miss Saturday's friendly due
to injury worries but is expected to be back in full training
next week while Harry Kewell will be on the bench and may play
after a long recovery from a groin strain.
Verbeek said he hoped to have all 23 players fit before June
12, including Emerton.
"I am not concerned at all, I am just taking no risk for the
player (Emerton). He is too important for us, we have three
tough games in qualification so I want him fit next week," he
said.
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