Angry Netherlands coach Andries Jonker has lashed organisers of the Women's World Cup as "amateurish" after deeming their training base unfit for purpose.
The Dutch, beaten finalists in 2019 and one of the favourites to contend again, selected Tauranga's Bay Oval, a Test cricket venue, for their training base in New Zealand.
However, Jonker said they were promised by officials the cricket pitch would be removed before their arrival.
“We have raised concerns about the cricket pitch previously, we were promised things and now we are very disappointed and angry," Jonker told reporters.
"When we arrived here on Wednesday, I thought, ‘now what is this now?’ I will not train on this.
"We want to play a good first match against Portugal here, we want to have a top preparation, a top tournament and we also consider ourselves a top team. This does not fit. This fits with amateurism of the highest order."
The Bay Oval Trust declined comment on the matter, referring it to FIFA, which is yet to respond to request for comment.
The Netherlands have opted to train at the venue but around the hard surface, meaning they cannot play full-pitch games.
The Dutch kick off their campaign against Portugal on Sunday in Dunedin.
"We could go to Dunedin earlier, but then you have to re-arrange hotels, flights and everyone is on the wrong track," Jonker said.
"There was also the suggestion we go to Hamilton. That's an hour and a half drive ... then you are on the road from 10am to 6pm for one training session."
The training pitch mishap is the second controversy to hit the Dutch in New Zealand before a ball has been kicked.
Last week, Maori condemned the side when one player mocked the haka in training, appearing to perform the sacred dance in a video clip distributed by the team.
A team spokesperson denied it despite video of the player saying 'haka!' alongside a subtitle confirming as much.
The Dutch denial stood in contrast to Spain, whose players also made fun of the haka in training but pleaded ignorance of the sacred nature of the ritual and apologised instead.
