FIFA Women's World Cup: Will artificial turf's heat be a factor in BC Place game?
FIFA disputes claims turf during world cup play in Edmonton was 49 C
It may be more than just the weather heating up BC Place when Canada meets England in the FIFA Women's World Cup quarter-final Saturday afternoon.
The artificial turf they are playing on tends to get much hotter than natural grass.
Conditions on the field will be under some scrutiny after complaints about the heat of the artificial turf in Edmonton during a previous match.
One Australian player has been quoted saying playing on the turf in Edmonton felt like "walking on hot coals."
On June 6, during the Canada versus China game, the turf in Edmonton was measured at 49 C — almost twice as hot as the weather forecast for that day. The air temperature that day was recorded at 23 degrees.
It's a brisk 120 degrees on the artificial turf at the Women's World Cup. The fact it's on turf is stupid. <a href="http://t.co/AqnyvlwWjP">pic.twitter.com/AqnyvlwWjP</a>
—@FlyByKniteThe forecast for Saturday's game is for a high of 27 degrees.
However, a spokesman for the National Organizing Committee for the FIFA Women's World Cup says it's doubtful the turf in Edmonton was ever that hot.
The NOC says the artificial turf in Edmonton is engineered to cool down when it's wet and water is regularly applied. In B.C. it estimates shade from the open roof will start providing relief by the time the game starts.
The Canada versus England match kicks off Saturday at B.C. Place at 4:30 p.m. PT.
With files from Wanyee Li and Mike Clarke