New Delhi, June 5 -- Japan's national team changed practice venues in Monterrey on Thursday ahead of the World Cup after players encountered an uneven pitch marred by patches of dirt at their original training ground.

The Japanese delegation said it has switched from the facility for Liga MX club UANL Tigres - site of Wednesday's practice - to El Barrial, the training ground of Rayados de Monterrey.

The delegation didn't specify why it moved, but after training at the new facility, everyone was happy.

"Yesterday's pitch wasn't very good, it was hard, there were holes.it wasn't good," said Japanese midfielder Take Cubo. "We had to change it because the players were afraid to start, to fight for every ball."

The venue mishap has gone vi...