05 December 2004	Sunday	22 Shawwal 1425

LAHORE, Dec 4: German and New Zealand hockey coaches said on Saturday the trouble being faced by Champions Trophy participants would have been avoided had the new pitch was laid well before the event.

German coach Bernhard Peters said although the new synthetic turf at National Hockey Stadium was not causing big problem, it was slippery and hindering in players performance.

"It is a new surface and usually when we play on a brand new pitch it will be slippery. The pitch here is also slippery which is not unusual but it is certainly restricting players to play freely as there is always danger getting injured," the coach said.

"It would have been better had this pitch laid well before the Champions Trophy which would have decreased the chances of injuries to players," he opined.

New Zealand coach Kevin Towns said while the turf was not posing serious problem, it was surprising why the organizers were allowed to lay a brand new surface weeks before a mega event.

"This pitch is quite good and ball travels fast. But it is slippery as it is brand new. I don't know why organizers were allowed to lay a new pitch so close to an event of such magnitude," Towns said.