08.08.2007 16:39
Training in the rain
David Saura
Barça have trained for the first time in Hong Kong, watched by some 3,000 fans. Matters were not helped by the intense rain and humid conditions.
The Barça squad, training in the Hong Kong stadium, have experienced at first hand the effects of
the Pabuk typhoon, which is getting nearer and nearer to the Asian city. The rain pelted down on
the players in a session in which those that started against Yokohama (
0-1
) were given slightly less arduous duties to perform.
Humidity
As well as the rain, the usual humidity at this time of year is an incredible 89%. However,
the temperature was fairly cool, with the session starting in temperatures around 17.9º, according
to the thermometers carried by club officials.
75 minute session
The squad trained for 75 minutes in an extraordinarily
beautiful stadium. It started with the usual warm-up drills, which the fans thoroughly enjoyed,
with cameras flashing every second. The exercises were deliberately done right in front of the
stand where 3,000 spectators had gathered to see their heroes.
Circuit training and visitors
The players then did a series of circuits involving sprints and ball control. The goalkeepers
trained separately, while it was all overseen by President Joan Laporta, manager Frank Rijkaard and
technical secretary Txiki Begiristain.
Intense match
To end, the players that were substitutes in Yokohama (except for
Giovani dos Santos
) played a four-a-side game on about a quarter of the pitch. The game ended 7-8, with Motta
and Maxi scoring four goals each, and Abidal three. The other players, meanwhile, did stretching
exercises.