Vietnam face poor pitch conditions against Saudi Arabia

By Lam Thoa August 6, 2021 | 05:31 pm PT

Mrsool Park Stadium, the venue of the World Cup qualifiers game between Saudi Arabia and Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Al-Nassr FC.

Some fans and experts have claimed the Saudi Arabia head coach chose Mrsool Park Stadium to play Vietnam in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers for luck and not field quality.

On Thursday, Saudi Arabia announced the selection of Mrsool Park as venue for its World Cup qualifying clash with Vietnam, set to take place on Sept. 2. The decision, made by coach Herve Renard, immediately drew criticism from a number of Saudi Arabia fans.

According to them, pitch quality at Mrsool Park is poor, with some suggesting the game should be played at better facilities like King Abdullah Sports City or King Fahd International. The latter were used in the final World Cup 2018 qualification round. Some said Mrsool Park brings Saudi Arabia luck when facing weaker teams.

Saudi Arabia played five games at Mrsool Park in 2021 and won all without conceding a single goal.

"The ground of the Mrsool Park stadium is not the same as before. Did you notice it, too, or am I exaggerating?" sports writer Batal Al-Qaws shared on his official account on Twitter.

Sports expert Mohammed AlDarae replied to him: "Indeed, the ground is substandard. The organizers must take responsibility for it."

Mrsool Park has a capacity of 25,000, built in 2011 at a cost of $57 million. Last year, it became the home ground of Al-Nassr FC.

After playing Saudi Arabia, Vietnam will face Australia at home in My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi.