TURF LUCK AS WALES NOT PUT OUT TO GRASS

NO FAN OF SYNTHETIC: Craig Bellamy would have preferred for Wales to be playing Kazakhstan on grass

- 

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

The Astana Arena was opened in July 2009 at a cost of €160 and the 30,000-capacity venue is used to host 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.