Update | Hong Kong Stadium pitch faces 'new storm threat'
Turf experts say rushed repairs to soccer field may not hold up to another drenching, as Typhoon Usagi approaches city
Downpours from approaching Typhoon Usagi might further damage the repaired pitch of the Hong Kong Stadium, which has just been pronounced ready for the local soccer season starting today, soil and grass specialists have warned.
At least nine first-division league soccer matches are scheduled at the stadium for this season, starting with South China and Kitchee today, and followed by two more matches on the next two Saturdays.
Today's match will be the first played on the pitch after 53 days of intensive repairs, which were made necessary when a game between Manchester United and local team Kitchee was almost called off in July because of its poor condition.
The pitch, sodden and muddy after days of torrential rain, with bald patches in the centre field where grass had been kicked off, became an international laughing stock.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department said yesterday that the pitch was now ready for use, after a "special priority maintenance programme" was carried out to meet the "very tight" schedule.
However, landscaping experts warned of a repetition of the damage to the pitch as Usagi - now a super typhoon but expected to weaken to a severe typhoon - is expected to hit the city with heavy, squally showers.
