Yokohama tie Barcelona 3-3 in soccer friendly
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-06-13 11:14

J-League champion Yokohama Marinos held Spanish powerhouse Barcelona to a 3-3 draw with former Japan international Daisuke Oku scoring a late equaliser in a friendly at home yesterday.

Spanish FC Barcelona midfielder Thiago Motta of Brazil (R) celebrates his goal with teammate Deco (L) during the 1st half of an international friendly match against Japan's Yokohama F. Marinos at the Nissan Stadium in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture. The match ended in a draw 3 to 3. [AFP]

With most of their top players like Brazilian Ronaldinho unavailable, Barcelona arrived with just 13 players, two of them goalkeepers, leaving head coach Frank Rijkaard with just one reserve outfielder.

Yokohama was also missing key defender Yuji Nakazawa and fellowJapan international Tatsuhiko Kubo due to prolonged injuries as well as South Korea's World Cup hero Ahn Jung-Hwan.

Forward Daisuke Sakata scored in less than a minute from the kick-off to put Yokohama one up.

French forward Ludovic Giuly levelled it in the 13th minute, but the visitors found themselves a goal down again 12 minutes later when Hideo Oshima netted.

Barca's Brazilian midfielder Thiago Motta hit back in the 43rd and 58th minutes, only to see the Catalonians give the hosts a penalty, which Oku duly put away with 12 minutes to go.

On Wednesday, Barcelona will take on Urawa Red Diamonds, winnerof the second stage of the J-League last season.

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