Offside News

Sports

Barca earn holiday, eye title in Japan

Comment: 0 December 13th, 2011 by: admin

A job well done deserves a fitting reward.

Barcelona got a nice incentive in the form a brief holiday in Tokyo after they spanked arch rivals in their ‘El Clasico’ showdown over the weekend.

The four-time European champions arrived at the Japanese capital last Sunday night, about 14 hours after shaming Madrid right at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium for the initial instalment this season of their fabled encounters.

Barca coach Pep Guardiola said his men’s prize includes tasting Japanese cuisine before they return to serious business.

Lionel Messi and company had only little time to rest before plunging to training in Yokohama to gird for their Club World Cup semifinal fixture against Asian champions Al Sadd of Qatar on Thursday. Barca are gunning to capture the title for the second time.

Santos of Brazil are the seeded side in the event’s other half against recently-crowned Japanese champions Kashiwa Reysol.

Guardiola added he would give his players much free time as possible. ‘I will take them to go sightseeing in Tokyo. Especially, we want to eat a variety of genuine Japanese dishes.’

The 40-year-old manager added their win over Madrid which catapulted them atop the La Liga table gave his men a boost.

Barca captain Puyol said they are highly motivated and raring to go. ‘It is very important for us to win this tournament. We have come after beating Real and we can go out with full confidence.’

For his part, defender Dani Alves said Barca have struggled hard to qualify and they will seize n the chance to climb to the top.

Barcelona were beaten 0-1 by Internacional of Brazil in the 2006 final of the Club World Cup, which returned to its current form in 2005 after the merger of the Intercontinental Cup – the yearly battle between European and South American champions – and a FIFA world club tournament.

Barca laboured to beat Estudiantes of Argentina 2-1 to snare the crown in 2009 in Abu Dhabi with Messi scoring the winner on 110 minutes. If they succeed in Yokohama, they would be the only club to bag the title twice.

Guardiola said they will give fans a wonderful game and promised to emerge winners again.

Seeing action for another Qatari side Al-Ahli in the final years of his career, Guardiola had played against Al Sadd several times. ‘In fact, I lived in Qatar with my family for about two years in the past. It’s a very good opportunity and I have respect for them. I’m happy to play them.’

More