Date:06/10/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/10/06/stories/2006100604201800.htm

Sport - Football

Bad pitch derails Indian preparations

Principal Correspondent

BANGALORE: The Indian football team's preparation ahead of the Oct. 11 AFC Cup qualifying match against Japan has been far from ideal because of the poor conditions at the MEG Centre's training pitch.

The All-India Football Federation (AIFF) needs to have a rethink when allotting important matches. Bangalore does have its own football stadium. But with the Asian youth championship slated for later in the month, both the Bangalore Football Stadium and Sree Kanteerava Stadium, the venue for the Japan clash, are being spruced up.

Thus the Karnataka State Football Association, when scouting for a suitable ground for the camp, opted for the Ethiraj Stadium ground of the MEG Centre, which is in pathetic condition to say the least.

The uneven and hard surface did prompt coach Bob Houghton to make a snide remark. It is far from accessible and MEG's strict rules mean that even the media has many an obstacle to surmount to reach the ground.

The AFC observer and Japanese officials who came to inspect the venue were far from pleased with the facilities and expressed their displeasure.

Meanwhile, Mehrajuddin Waddoo, who sustained an injury during the Santosh Trophy, has been ruled out of the Japan clash. It is unlikely that he will play on Nov. 15 against Yemen. With Mahesh Gawli too nursing an injury, Houghton's options look limited and given the condition of the practice pitches, more injuries cannot be ruled out.

In a bid to promote football among school and college teams, the KSFA will allot twenty free passes for each football-playing institution.