| Throughout the past week, artificial grass has made its | | | | playing fields. Even with the cost, however, FIFA |
| way to a monumental global sporting event, the FIFA | | | | believed that the past pitches needed a more reliable |
| World Cup in South Africa. The highly anticipated | | | | and study surface. Desso is excited about being part |
| event's Algeria versus Slovenia game debuted close | | | | of such a renowned international sporting event and |
| to 20 million threads of artificial turf woven into natural | | | | getting their Grassmaster system under the feet of |
| grass blades. The game, held at the Peter Mokaba | | | | such talented athletes. The company, located about 20 |
| Stadium in Polokwane, was the first World Cup game | | | | miles away from Brussels, has already worked on |
| played on a synthetic grass field. It was tested | | | | many English Premier League team stadiums, including |
| successfully in the Under-17 FIFA World Cup 2003 in | | | | Liverpool, Arsenal, and Real Madrid's training field. It is |
| Finland, but not the regular World Cup soccer event. | | | | thus excited to find its way across the globe for such |
| The stadium in Nelspruit has also used synthetic grass | | | | a special event. |
| fibers intertwined under natural grass for the playing | | | | Overall, after the games, there has been much debate |
| surface. | | | | about the use of the Grassmaster system at the |
| Synthetic grass fibers were individually dug a total of | | | | World Cup. The Algerian coach felt that the change in |
| eight inches below the surface and intertwined with | | | | playing surface was extreme to the point of negative |
| natural grass roots. This intertwining allows for a | | | | performance on his team's part. He believed that |
| durable and full-bodied surface. This strong synthetic | | | | Slovenian team adjusted better to the new conditions |
| grass weaving withstands even the roughest | | | | of the artificial and natural blended field. The Slovenian |
| performance and play. The sturdiness aims to prevent | | | | coach also agreed that the difference was quite |
| sliding and injury. Though it can withstand such vigorous | | | | significant for the players to adjust to. However, even |
| contact, this artificial grass system also has a very | | | | with such a change, some of the players found it to be |
| smooth surface. | | | | challenging but yet smooth to play on. Another player |
| Desso is the Dutch manufacturer that specializes in | | | | mentioned that playing and running on the synthetic |
| these semi-artificial surfaces. This surface is known as | | | | field was much quicker than that of a natural field. |
| the Grassmaster system. This system is used | | | | The emergence of synthetic grass, even partially in the |
| specifically for certain types of grass that can stand to | | | | Grassmaster system, is a revolutionary event among |
| be intertwined with synthetic grass fibers. The | | | | the global soccer industry, as well as the synthetic |
| Grassmaster system is comprised primarily of natural | | | | grass industry as a whole. The upfront costs prove to |
| grass (97%), while the remaining three percent are the | | | | be worth it, as maintenance time and costs are saved |
| synthetic grass fibers. This type of grass pitch | | | | throughout the duration of its use. This is another |
| regenerates faster than that of natural grass. With | | | | notable example of breakthrough synthetic grass |
| such an intricate weaving process, this | | | | systems within the world of sports. |
| pseudo-synthetic system is quite costly for entire | | | | |