As I flipped through the back pages of the newpaper this morning, I saw an interesting page about the fiasco surrounding the Astroturf pitch of the Young Boys. In it, Harry Redknapp slammed the pitch for direct or indirect causation of 4 of his players’ injuries and further stated that Astroturf has no place in the UCL. Having written an interview for Jasmond a few nights ago, his predicament was still fresh in my mind and I recalled that he too tore his ACL in the artificial pitch of Queenstown Secondary. Moreover, I myself was a recent victim of Astroturf when I unwisely wore studs to play in the bare turf of Fico and sprained my ankle in the process. So inevitably, I asked myself: Is Astroturf overrated?
I don’t know. Nor do I have the experience like Harry to decide. But I guess we just can’t be too assured of our safety no matter what kind of pitch we are playing on. Sometimes even the most inconspicuous bump on the pitch can set off a serious injury. I’m pro-Astro. Mok, for one I know, is the most die-hard Astro guy. And I can understand why. Compared to the usual botak, unpredictably fast and hard when dry, slow and muddy when wet natural field that is the norm here, Astroturf provides a much better and safer alternative for a smooth flow-y game at our level. I hate to play on a natural field especially when wet. It just makes the game so slow and heavy.
But then surely there are many others out there who follow the old-school school of thought that the grass is always greener than the Astroturf.
So do you prefer Astro or grass? Please comment.
-Xabi Ws
Haha I had the same sentiments when i saw the comments from the aftermath of the tottenham game too. But i think it's quite a simple situation, as long as we have fields filled with natural grass (don't have to be perfectly manicured lawns like in international or European football but simply just grass filled pitches), we will be more than happy to play on them as compared to astro turf fields. Too bad that we r only at the social level in a country with crappy weather 24/7.. So for sure, astro is the way to go. Perhaps at a cost of the standard of Singapore football in the long run.. O wells
ReplyDeleteAstro FTW! Just not the one at bedok green man. Its more suitable for a 9 a side. FUCK!!!
ReplyDelete