Coaches dissatisfied with ground conditions of Fed Cup matches

At a post-match press conference following the Group A matches here today, Assistant Coach of Demo club, Mauricio Afonso and Shillong Lajong FC coach Desmono Bulpin said they had requested the Match Commissioner to put off the match at JRD Tata Sports complex in view of the soggy condition caused by heavy rains.

The ground have turned worst and unplayable but our request was not heard, leaving us with no option but to play, they said.

Pailan Arrows coach Arthur Papas and Mumbai FC coach Khalid Jamil also echoed a similar view following the match played at Keenan stadium.

"We are happy with the result (win over Shillong Lajong) today but it was certainly not a football," said Afonso, who advocated for shifting the premier tournament to other city such as Bangalore.

The Federation Cup should have been played on a astro-turf as the ball was not all moving, leaving us to play long passes, he said adding that he was not all happy as far as football game was concerned in the prevailing venue.

Papas said though "we have put up good fight but the ground (Keenan stadium) turned worst and dangerous for players."

Four of our players including defender Prathamesh Maulingkar were injured today, he claimed.

Papas said he had talked to his club chairman and apprised him of the situation.

Asked whether he will field him team in the next match, if the ground situation did not improve, Papas said let us see. We will think as we have time to see the field condition improve.

"Certainly, I more concerned about the safety of my players and would not allow them to play," he opined when asked about his view for the next match.