Juric unhappy with Brisbane Stadium pitch

Tomi Juric has added his name to the chorus of voices criticising the Brisbane Stadium playing surface, claiming it's hampering Australia's playing style.

Tomi Juric Brisbane Stadium Australia

Tomi Juric in action at Brisbane Stadium (AAP)

The Socceroos lost 1-0 to Korea Republic on Saturday to finish second in Group A, meaning a return to the venue on Thursday for an AFC Asian Cup 2015 quarter-final clash with China.

Turf will be re-laid in the six-yard boxes at both ends of the field after stadium management ordered Iran and UAE, who play on Monday, to hold their final training sessions elsewhere in an effort to preserve the pitch.

China coach Alain Perrin, whose team has had to play at the Brisbane venue twice, said last week the pitch was undeserving of such a prestigious tournament.

Asked if it was still a concern after the Korea Republic defeat, Juric said: "You can judge that for yourself.

"Obviously we'd like the pitch to improve by then (Thursday) if it can.

"It doesn't bring the best out in the football that all teams are trying to play, us especially.

"Hopefully it will change up and get into a little bit better condition so come next game, we'll be able to play the way we want to play."

The Socceroos are likely to endure the same oppressive conditions they faced on Saturday night when they meet Perrin's side.

Temperatures were hovering at around 32 degrees at kick-off time in the Queensland capital and humidity levels increased during the match and Juric admitted he found it tough.

"Throughout the Asian Champions League I'm kind of familiar with these conditions but it doesn't mean it's any easier," Western Sydney Wanderers striker Juric said.

"It was really hard to get your breath back after making runs.

"But it wasn't any different for the Korean team, credit to them on that."

Juric had several excellent chances to score in his first full 90 minutes for the national team, and believes the Socceroos did enough to win the game.

"There was a bit of bad luck and sometimes where the ball has bobbled up, it's kind of cost us our chance," he said.

"You can't always score every game, but that was good to get 90 minutes under the belt."

The Asian Cup quarter-final also pits Juric against a country that was touted as a possible destination for his club career.

But the Wanderers star turned down a big-money move to Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua this week, acting on advice from Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou and said he's not thought about it since.

"It's very, very simple. I go about my job and do it to the best of my ability."


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3 min read
Published 18 January 2015 2:27pm
Updated 18 January 2015 2:49pm

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