UNHAPPY BELLAMY FIRES A PLASTIC BULLET

Wales boss angry to be playing on an artificial pitch in Astana

- By Phil Blanche

CRAIG BELLAMY says he does not understand why Wales are playing their World Cup qualifier in Kazakhstan on an artificial pitch.

The Astana Arena is the country’s biggest stadium. It was opened in July 2009 at a cost of $185million, and the 30,000-capacity venue is used to hosting major club and international football matches.

Although it has a retractable roof, artificial turf was laid to protect the pitch from the harsh Kazakh winter.

The surface has passed the FIFA Two-Star Test to ensure the artificial turf meets professional, international standards.

But head coach Bellamy insists Wales should be playing on a conventional grass pitch.

“We're not exposed to it, we don’t play on it, I’m not a fan of it,” he said ahead of today’s Group J qualifier.

“I don’t see the need for nations [to have artificial turf].

“Lower level? Completely, when you can’t maintain the pitch with the finances.