Van Marwijk bemoans long grass ahead of Denmark clash

Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk has stated that the grass at the Metalist Stadium, Kharkiv, needs to be cut before they face Denmark on Saturday.

Group B starts with the Oranje taking on Morten Olsen's men, but the former Feyenoord coach is not happy with the state of the playing surface ahead of kick-off.

"The grass is just too long," Van Marwijk told the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) official website.

"Only by a few millimeters, but that can make a big difference in the game. If the grass is long, it makes quick football – like our game - quite difficult.

"They promised they would come and mow the grass on Saturday, so that it is nice and short. It is also too stiff.

 "It is important that this problem is solved quickly. We want them to not only mow the grass, but also to spray it," he concluded.

Barcelona, and Xavi in particular, have long been advocates of keeping the grass short, and often face unkempt pitches at away games in La Liga.