Rasmus Kristensen describes Leeds United's pitch difficulty in Perth friendly as Sinisterra hobbles off

Leeds United’s pre-season tour of Australia ended with a draw, following a win and a defeat in their previous two fixtures Down Under.

The Whites took the lead in their final tour friendly against Crystal Palace, courtesy of Rodrigo Moreno’s well-taken spot-kick, but were pegged back ten minutes later by Jean-Philippe Mateta’s tap-in at the other end.

Throughout the game, players on both sides could be seen struggling with the conditions in Perth’s Optus Stadium as the turf beneath them began cutting up right from the outset.

The pitch, which is also used for AFL, rugby and cricket, had a patchwork appearance from where West Coast Eagles and Fremantle FC sponsors had been removed from the turf.

“The pitch also gives the conditions for a fight,” Kristensen told Channel 10 News at full-time. “It's not so easy to play because it's really bumpy and heavy and, like, your steps are a little bit late or the passes are not completed to feet or whatever, so it ended up being a fight.”

Leeds lost Luis Sinisterra to a suspected hamstring injury during the opening 12 minutes, before withdrawing Adam Forshaw shortly after the half-hour mark in what looked to be a precautionary change.

Pitch conditions throughout Leeds’ pre-season tour of Australia have been a concern, particularly given the Whites’ injury history last season.

The team will now return to England ahead of their final friendly at home to Cagliari in nine days.