Bellamy insists it's far from being pitch perfect for Wales

CRAIG Bellamy says he does not understand why Wales are playing their World Cup qualifier in Kazakhstan on an artificial pitch, writes Phil Blanche.

- Phil Blanche

The Astana Arena was opened in July 2009 at a cost of 185 million US dollars and the 30,000-capacity venue is used to hosting major club and international football matches as Kazakhstan's biggest stadium.

Although the stadium has a retractable roof, artificial turf was installed to protect the pitch against the harsh Kazakh winter.

The surface has passed the ‘FIFA 2 Star test’ to ensure artificial turf meets professional, international standards - but Bellamy insists Wales should be playing on a conventional grass surface.

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

“1 have to be completely honest, I don't see the need for nations (to have artificial pitches).

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