World Cup

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Attendance: 39,800

World Cup | Group Stage

Jun 14, 2014 at 11pm UK

England
1-2
Italy

Sturridge (37')

FT(HT: 1-1)

Marchisio (35'), Balotelli (50')

Roy Hodgson "happy" with Manaus pitch

By Alex Meyers, Reporter

Published: June 14 2014 | 00:18

Last updated: June 14 2014 | 14:59

England manager Roy Hodgson says that he is happy with the condition of the pitch that his side will be playing on during their World Cup opener against Italy.

England manager Roy Hodgson has said that he is happy with the condition of the pitch that his side will be playing on during their World Cup opener against Italy.

The surface of the ground at the Arena da Amazonia in Manaus has come in for severe criticism after pictures emerged earlier this week showing that it was in poor condition.

England trained on the pitch today in preparation for the match, with Hodgson claiming that he has no concerns about it affecting the way his team will play.

"I've been on the pitch and it is possible to play good football on it," he is quoted as saying by BBC Sport.

"We'll be perfectly happy to play on it. We are here to try and win [the World Cup], to try and play our best and we're here to give such a good account of ourselves people at home feel proud. But now the talking is over. Bring the game on."

England will also face Uruguay and Costa Rica in Group D at the World Cup.