Netherlands head coach Andries Jonker says his side’s World Cup training facilities in New Zealand fit with “amateurism of the highest order”.
Jonker added that his nation had previously raised the issue of training at Bay Oval cricket ground, which contains a hard cricket square in the middle.
The Netherlands are based at in Tauranga, New Zealand, and have group games against Portugal, the USWNT and Vietnam.
“When we arrived here on Wednesday, I thought, ‘now, what is this?’ I will not train on this,” Jonker said ahead of Sunday’s opener against Portugal.
“We have raised concerns about the cricket pitch previously, we were promised things and now we are very disappointed and angry. We are not satisfied.
“We want to play a good first match against Portugal here, we want to have top preparation, a top tournament and we also consider ourselves a top team. This does not fit. This fits with amateurism of the highest order.”
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The Netherlands face Portugal in Dunedin on Sunday and Jonker says his side’s match preparation has been affected by the conditions.
“With other exercises, we can train around that pitch, but 11-vs-11 doesn’t work,” the 60-year-old added.
“There were two other options. We could go to Dunedin earlier, but then you have to re-arrange hotels, flights and everyone is on the wrong track.
“There was also the suggestion we go to Hamilton. That’s an hour and a half drive. That sounds easy, but then you are on the road from 10am to 6pm for one training session.”
After the Portugal game, the Netherlands face the USWNT in Wellington on Thursday, before finishing the group stage against Vietnam back in Dunedin the following Tuesday.
The Athletic has contacted FIFA for comment.
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