Barcelona to play four matches in Asia
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2004-07-27 09:14

Barcelona is set to play four friendly matches in ten days in Asia.

The Spanish soccer club will arrive Thursday in Seoul, South Korea to play against Samsung Bluewings; then they will travel to Japan to play on August 1 against Kashima Antlers. Also in Japan, Barcelona will play on August 4 against Jubilo Iwata Yamaha.

The Catalan team will complete its Asian tour at the Chinese city of Shanghai to play against Shanghai International.

The other Spanish giant, Real Madrid, also has plans to play twice in Asia, repeating a tour which in 2003 led to an economic success. This time Real Madrid will play two matches in Tokyo, Japan on Thursday and Sunday, earning US$17 million for the appearances.

For the four Barcelona games, coach Frank Rijkaard will take 22 players.

The rooster includes:

Goalkeepers: Victor Valdes, Rustu Recber and Albert Jorquera.

Defenders: Juliano Belleti, Oleguer Presas, Fernando Navarro, Carlos Puyol, Gabri Garcia, Giovanni van Bronckhorts, Rafael Marquez and Sylvio Mendes "Silvinho."

Midfielders: Gerard Lopez, Xavi Hernandez, Thiago Motta, AndresIniesta, Anderson Luis de Souza "Deco" and Leo Messi.

Strikers: Luis Garcia, "Ronaldinho" Gaucho, Ludovic Giuly and Henrik Larsson.

Also touring Asia are world-class teams Lazio and Roma, from Italy, and Boca Juniors, the Argentine champion.

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