At a post-match press conference following their Group A matches here today, assistant coach of Dempo, Mauricio Afonso and Shillong Lajong FC coach Desmond Bulpin said they had requested the Match Commissioner to put off the contest at JRD Tata Sports complex in view of the unplayable condition caused by heavy rains.
The ground have turned worst and unplayable but our request was not heard, leaving us with no option but to play, they said.
Pailan Arrows coach Arthur Papas and Mumbai FC coach Khalid Jamil also echoed similar view following the match played at Keenan stadium.
"We are happy with the result (win over Shillong Lajong) today but it was certainly not a football," said Afonso, who advocated for shifting the premier tournament to other city such as Bangalore.
The Federation Cup should have been played on a astro-turf as the ball was not at all moving, leaving us to play long passes, he said adding that he was not happy as far as football was concerned in the prevailing venue.
Papas said though "we have put up good fight the ground (Keenan stadium) turned worst and dangerous for players."
Four of our players including defender Prathamesh Maulingkar were injured today, he claimed.
Papas said he had talked to his club chairman and apprised him of the situation.
Asked whether he will field him team in the next match, if the ground situation did not improve, Papas said, "We will think as we have time to see the field condition improve.
"Certainly, I more concerned about the safety of my players and would not allow them to play," he opined when asked about the next match.
