Norway sees pitch advantage in World Cup match against Senegal

Norwegian midfielder Morten Thorsby sees a potential advantage for his team in the pitch conditions at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where Norway is set to face Senegal in the World Cup.

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It resembles artificial grass a bit. It is short and it is hard. It can suit us well, for we are many who have played on artificial grass. I think it can suit us fine.

Thorsby described the playing surface as resembling artificial turf, noting that it is short and hard. "It can suit us well, because many of us have played on artificial grass," he told reporters. "I think it can suit us fine. It is a place where the ball should travel nicely."

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It is a place where the ball should travel nicely. It can be to our advantage, but all pitches are different.

Despite some criticism regarding the pitch's state, including comments from French defender William Saliba who called it "very hard" and more like artificial grass, Thorsby remained optimistic. He stated that the Norwegian team had inspected the field and found it to be in good condition. "We were out on it just now. We have looked at it a bit, and it looks completely fine," Thorsby said. He added that while playing conditions differ from just looking, the field would be the same for both Norway and Senegal, allowing them to make the best of it.

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I must admit that I was a little surprised by the condition of the pitch in the first match.