Roar stuck with dodgy Suncorp pitch

Dec 24, 2016 - 4:13 AM Brisbane Roar coach John Aloisi admits there's nothing that can be done about Suncorp Stadium's sub-standard surface, which took the gloss off their 1-1 draw against Western Sydney.

The Roar and the Wanderers are both renowned for playing an attractive, possession-heavy style football - but Friday night's A-League clash descended into an agricultural display as players struggled to adapt to the crater-marked surface.

Suncorp's pitch has deteriorated badly since a Coldplay concert was held at the venue on December 7.

Parts where the stage was constructed have been re-laid, but the rest of the ground is bumpy, uneven and disruptive to play.

Supporters and A-League luminaries alike vented their frustration on social media.

Perth Glory CEO Peter Filopolous described the surface as "completely unacceptable" while Sydney FC chief Tony Pignata tweeted: "If I was @brisbaneroar I would demand a reduced fee for the way @suncorpstadium has been presented. Our game deserves better."

Sydney defender Michael Zullo - a former Roar player - also suggested it should be compulsory for pitches to be completely re-laid after concerts, using the revenue generated from ticket sales.

It's a problem that won't go away for the Roar, since there is only one stadium up to A-League standard in Brisbane.

There's also another show coming up soon - Justin Bieber on March 13 - and a law was passed last year that allows Suncorp to host six concerts per year, up from the previous four.

Aloisi said his players simply have to grin and bear it.

"I don't know what can be done," he said.

"It was the same for both sides, so I'm not going to use that as an excuse.

"But I'm sure next week (away) we'll play on a good pitch.

"It doesn't help us, we're a team that likes to play good football - especially at home. You just have to make sure the players know there could be mistakes in terms of a bad touch because of a bobble."

Wanderers coach Tony Popovic slammed the surface as "very ordinary".

"There are two good footballing teams that want to play, and didn't have a chance to play today," he said.

"Different people need to answer that here in Brisbane. I'm sure they would have liked a nice pitch at home, but it's so difficult to play on that."

Source: AAP