Sydney FC have again complained to the SCG Trust about the poor state of Allianz Stadium’s pitch, lambasted as “embarrassing” by Central Coast coach Paul Okon.
A stunned Okon declared Friday night’s 1-0 Sky Blues win should have been postponed or shifted elsewhere, and hoped the continually patchy multi-purpose surface did not rob the A-League leaders of their home advantage at the season’s most important time.
Last month the Sydney Sevens rugby tournament was to blame, and Sydney’s fee for the surface duly waived.
This time it was rugby league, specifically the Roosters-Bulldogs NRL clash and corresponding under-20s fixture just 24 hours prior.
“A few weeks ago everyone was throwing their arms up and crying about the results from the Roar and the Wanderers in the ACL,” Okon said.
“If you’re going to deliver a pitch like that we’ve got bigger problems. That was embarrassing.
“I don’t think the game should have been held to be honest.
“It just shows where we are as a football nation.
“I hope for them (Sydney) it doesn’t become an issue. It would be really disappointing because they’ve been marvellous all season.
“They deserve to be on a better pitch.”
Sydney coach Graham Arnold was comparatively restrained but admitted the sub-standard surface had burdened his uncharacteristically tame table-toppers and suggested the under-20s league games at least be relocated.
Defender Alex Wilkinson described it as “pretty average”.
“The bounce, it’s difficult to play into midfield,” Wilkinson said.
“When the pitch is like that it can turn into a scrap.”
The situation is precisely what the Sky Blues don’t want in their final two regular-season home games, semi-final and potential grand final at the venue.
The Roosters play Manly at Allianz the day before Sydney’s return against Melbourne City on April 1.
And, more crucially, the NSW Waratahs host Super Rugby rivals the Blues the day before the May 7 grand final.
That’s before factoring in the Socceroos’ crunch World Cup qualifier against the UAE on March 28, before which groundskeepers have a 10-day period to clean up the pitch after a Waratahs-Brumbies match.
Sydney chief executive Tony Pignata confirmed the club had taken the issue up with the SCG Trust and was confident it would be in “perfect condition” come finals time.
“I have articulated to Jamie (Barkley), the CEO, that we’re not happy with the quality of the pitch and something needs to be done about it,” Pignata told AAP.
“We understand it is a multi-purpose (venue), but it still hasn’t recovered from the rugby sevens and we’re coming into the important part of the season for us and you’ve got the Socceroos game on March 28.
“They need to move as many games as they can off the pitch and play what needs to be played.”
punter
Guest
I'd say Trump would know a thing or about paying for favours.
AR
Guest
Trump probably knows a thing or two about construction 'mates rates'!
j binnie
Guest
Lionheart - I hadn't forgotten the two GFs at Suncorp but that was two matches in 12 years so didn't really consider that ,or the Liverpool game (once in a blue moon) as indicative of the point I was trying to make re. return on investment.Cheers jb.
Lionheart
Guest
where'd that Mickey bloke go again?
Mickyo
Guest
lol, the state bodies annual reports detail it. FFA states 499k community club players, NSW annual report details 257k of the same. Other codes are stronger in other states. NSW is the only state that registered club soccer players are number 1
Lionheart
Guest
where'd that Micky bloke go?
Lionheart
Guest
we had a few near full house football crowds at Suncorp JB, being the Liverpool-Roar game, the Asia Cup final and a couple of grand-finals did ok too. Football can draw a crowd in Brisbane but we haven't had much in the past 18 months, or should I say that our government hasn't shown much interest in attracting or bidding for big games, like WCQs or visiting club sides.
c
Roar Rookie
p17 Football takes the biggest slice of overall club participation due to its popularity among both adults and children
Lionheart
Guest
thanks for that JB. Note that I wasn't suggesting Ballymore had a role in the league state of origin though, but that the (rugby union) maroons played there well before the league boys used the name maroon. But I thoroughly enjoyed your story, and your part in that game;s evolution.
Mickyo
Guest
The figures are from the state bodies respective annual reports- what do you base your grandiose claims on ?
Buddy
Guest
Not sure how the thread developed from the state of Allianz to partipation numbers but this recent document covers the subject in depth and makes for interesting reading irrespective of personal beliefs, arguments and counter arguments. https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/735239/34648_AusPlay_summary_report_accessible2.pdf
harry houdini
Guest
Yep, whatever! http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/state-of-origin/did-ron-mcauliffe-really-found-rugby-leagues-state-of-origin-20160617-gploi6.html
Nemesis
Guest
@ Mickyo You could post whatever figures you want to post & it won't mean a thing. I want independent data that validates your assertion. I don't have independent data broken down by State/Territory, which is why I'm happy to stand corrected if someone provides data.
punter
Guest
I can't believe Mickyo even believes what he writes. Is he reading his comments?
Chris
Guest
Over to you Robbie...
Mickyo
Guest
Soccer is a leader in club registered players on one state - and that is NSW which provides more than 50% of the nations players, the vast bulk in the WS of Sydney.
punter
Guest
You gotta love news and facts in the Trump era.
Mickyo
Guest
You would be wrong, soccer claims 66,000 CLUB members playing soccer in Victoria, whilst there are 242,000 CLUB members playing Australian football, WA has 63,000 CLUB registered AF players, soccer 40,000. Etc etc
punter
Guest
I read mickyos reply and thought do these blokes actually read what they write.
Nemesis
Guest
As far as I know, Football is No.1 for participation in every State & Territory at Junior Level & Adult Level. If you have a link to data that says this is not the case, I'll stand corrected.