Zico unhappy with turf: Iraqi coach recalls his time with Japan here when they won on natural grass

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Asian World Cup qualifier Group A

Singapore vs Iraq

SINGAPORE - Iraq's national head coach Arthur Antunes Coimbra will speak to the media today at the official press conference ahead of tomorrow's World Cup third round Group A Asian qualifier against Singapore.

Yesterday at the Jalan Besar Stadium, the man known the world over as Zico, the Brazil football legend, kept to his word of not speaking to the media - but only just.

After taking his team through 90 minutes of light training, the 58-year-old paused on his way out to the team bus to ask the handful of journalists why the turf was no longer natural grass.

"What happened to the grass here?" Zico asked. "I came here in 2004 with Japan and we played on grass. I don't like artificial turf, I prefer natural green."

He also asked about the National Stadium and was surprised when told the Kallang facility has been levelled for the construction of the billion-dollar Sports Hub.

And then he was off, not even breaking stride when told by his team liaison that the reporters wished to talk to him.

Hailed as the "White Pele" during his heyday in the '70s and early '80s, playmaker Zico played in three World Cups - 1978, 1982 and 1986.

It has not been an auspicious start to his latest coaching stint when Zico saw his charges go down 2-0 to Jordan last Friday in Arbil, Iraq.

It was his first game in charge.

Arriving yesterday, the Iraqis showed up for their training session at 8pm. After taking instructions from Zico, the players limbered up before settling on shooting and passing drills.

As manager of Japan, Zico suffered a close call here when his men, led by their big star at the time, Nakata, eked out a 2-1 win over the Lions in a World Cup qualifier for the 2006 finals.

Judging by his comments on the pitch, he remembers the result well.

Warming down with his players last night, Zico impressed with his agility. Despite carrying a lot more weight around his midriff, he still looked every bit a footballer.

As the Iraqi players headed for the team bus, their coach took a last look at the Jalan Besar pitch.

Zico will be eager for his men to have as much time as possible on the playing surface in today's final training session there as he plots to extend his winning run in Singapore.