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Argentina coach concerned over World Cup qualifier pitch

Xinhua, March 21, 2016 Adjust font size:

Argentina's national soccer coach Gerardo Martino showed concerns for the "deplorable" state of pitch for upcoming World Cup Russia 2018 qualifier, local media reported on Sunday.

The concern is about the Mario Kempes Stadium in the central Argentinian city of Cordoba where the national squad will face Bolivia on March 29 in the South American qualifying tournament.

The grass was badly damaged due to British heavy metal band Iron Maiden and Mexican pop band Mana's concerts which took place in the stadium on March 15 and at the end of February respectively.

For that reasons, the pitch was filled with sand which will affect the ball's bounce and it is also dangerous for the players.

Martino has taken this situation into account along with the Argentine Football Association (AFA), who have ordered efforts to improve the "deplorable" pitch to be sped up.

Argentina will begin training from Monday with their sights set on winning the next two qualifiers.

The first will take place on March 24 against Chile in Santiago and then Argentina will face Bolivia in Cordoba, 700 kilometres north of capital city of Buenos Aires.

Argentina lost to Ecuador 2-0 at home in the first match of the qualifiers in Buenos Aires. They then drew 0-0 against Paraguay in Asuncion and then 1-1 with Brazil in Buenos Aires. They defeated Colombia 1-0 away in Baranquilla. Endi