@OFC
Laß Barca sein...oder small die Chinesen! [[prost]]
Clash of Champions
Barca face Chinese Champions Shenshen Jian Li Bao in the final game of their Asia Tour on Wednesday in the heat and humidity of Macao.
The game is being held to celebrate the re-opening of the Macao Stadium ahead of the 4th East Asia Games to be held in October. Shenzhen Jian Li Bao are a speedy attacking team and would be a tough enough challenge at the best of times. Add in the high temperatures and stifling humidity of the last few days and Barca's task becomes all the harder.
Marquez and Messi set for debuts
Both Rafa Marquez and Leo Messi could make their pre-season debuts in the game. The Mexican captain joined the squad on their return from Denmark after having featured in the Confed Cup and Messi enjoyed an extended break after his heroics in the Under 20 World Cup. Wednesday's game should give them both a much needed work out as they strive for full match fitness.
European experience
Chinese football s very much on the up right now and Shenzhen Jian Li Bao can boast two players with European experience: Li Weifeng, who had a spell at Everton with his compatriot Li Tie and Yang Chen who played for Eintracht Frankfurt. The team also include two foreign players: the Pole Marek Zajac and Oyawole Djama, striker with the Togo team who are proving to be the surprise package of the 2006 World Cup qualifying rounds.