Germany to train on artificial turf

Published Mar. 19, 2013 2:03 p.m. ET

foxsports

Germany will train on artificial turf ahead of its World Cup qualifying match in Kazakhstan, where the game will be played under a roof on a similar pitch.

Assistant coach Hansi Flick confirmed Tuesday that the team will train at least twice on such a turf in Frankfurt, which he said was similar to the one in Astana. Germany already has beaten Kazakhstan once on artificial turf in European Championship qualifying and also won in Russia in 2010 on artificial grass.

Coach Joachim Loew has said a fast artificial surface could be an advantage for his speedy and technically strong players.

The Germans also will have to adjust to the time difference and the unusual midnight kickoff time, set for television audiences back home.