Barca superstars arrive in Japan to rockstar welcome
Thousands of River Plate fans filter into Japan
For their send-off from Argentina, River held a public training session in their stadium and a carnival-like procession to the airport.
European champions Barcelona were greeted like rock stars on their arrival in Japan yesterday to contest the Club World Cup, looking bleary-eyed after a long flight from Spain.
Around 300 screaming fans greeted the Spanish giants trying to take pictures of superstars Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez as they swept through Narita airport at around 0800 local time dressed in blue team tracksuits.
Walking alongside Suarez, Messi smiled at fans as cameras flashed, while Neymar, who is an injury concern for the tournament favourites, sported a baseball cap, sunglasses and earphones.
Barcelona, bidding to become the first team to win the Club World Cup three times after lifting the trophy in 2009 and 2011, take on China’s Guangzhou Evergrande in the semi-finals on Thursday.
But Barca coach Luis Enrique is sweating over the fitness of Neymar, who is struggling with a groin strain. The Brazilian has scored 16 times in 18 appearances this season, but Enrique could opt to rest him in Japan.
Blockbuster final
Barring an upset, Argentina’s River Plate will await the European champions in the final in Yokohama on December 20.
Thousands of fans of South American champions River Plate have been arriving in Japan over the last week, hoping their team can pull off a major upset and dethrone Barcelona.
In contrast to the indifference among European media and fans, the build-up in South America lasts for weeks and is often comparable to the World Cup itself.
For their send-off from Argentina, River held a public training session in their stadium and a carnival-like procession to the airport.
An estimated 25,000 flagwaving, drum-banging fans lined the 30-kilometre route, letting off fireworks, and dozens of private car followed the team bus, hooting incessantly, to form a huge and rowdy convoy which blocked the highway.
In all, River are expected to receive the backing of around 15,000 fans who have defied a 30-hour flight and enormous expense to make the trip.
River, who won the old Intercontinental Cup in 1986 but lost to Juventus 10 years later, were also given rapturous reception as they arrived by bullet train in Osaka from Tokyo as several hundred supporters crowded onto the platform.
“This is a unique moment and I wouldn’t change it for anything,” midfielder Carlos Sanchez told reporters after a training session. “I’m not going to have another opportunity like this.”