'I worry': Auckland FC coach Pedro Moreira concerned about Sydney pitch quality

One of Auckland FC coach Pedro Moreira’s main concerns isn’t about what will happen on the pitch, but rather the pitch itself.

Speaking before his side set off to Australia to play the Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday, the Portuguese coach claimed the quality of the field could impact the game, as two Rugby League World Cup fixtures are due to be played on it the day before the A-League match.

“I worry also about the quality of the game instead of the pitches and the [playing] of rugby games before our games could make a difference.”

“The way that we pretend to play and not with a quality grass, it’s also [a] worry and ... I think with the promotion of the game, promotion of A-League, it’s important to increase quality of the ... games.”

CommBank Stadium plays host to the Women’s World Cup match between Samoa and Wales, quickly followed by Tonga taking on Lebanon in the men’s tournament.

Last week’s Sydney derby between the Wanderers and Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium also came the day after the Kiwis played the Kangaroos in their Rugby league World Cup opening fixture, something Moreira felt impacted the quality of the football match.

Auckland FC coach Pedro Moreira has questioned how Rugby League World Cup matches played at CommBank Stadium will impact the quality of the pitch when his side play there. Photo / Photosport

“The Sydney derby ... it wasn’t a good game, probably could be because of that situation [with the pitch],” the Black Knights coach said.

“But I must too be worried about things that I can control and if I cannot play with a quality that I train because of that, that could be a problem.”

Last week’s Sydney derby finished 0-0, with pundits criticising the overall quality of the game and questioning whether a match like this should be saved until later in the season – but few questioned the quality of the pitch.

Moreira highlighted that when he was an assistant coach at AS Roma, the club shared Rome’s Stadio Olimpico with fellow Serie A side Lazio, the Italian national football team and the country’s rugby team.

“We can have different games on ... the same pitch, but not in days consecutive [sic],” he said.

Moreira isn’t the only New Zealand-based coach to comment on the quality of the turf at Australian stadiums, with All Blacks mentor Dave Rennie asked about Accor Stadium’s pitch after his side’s dominant victory over the Wallabies.

The grass appeared to look dry and patchy on the broadcast.

“It sounds like there was some monster trucks on there a week ago, so probably not the ideal preparation,” Rennie said.

The Monster Jam World Tour took place at Accor Stadium a week before the All Blacks’ match.