FCBARCELONA.CAT

19.11.2008 13:05

International Wednesday

www.fcbarcelona.cat

No fewer than eight FC Barcelona players have international matches this Wednesday. Only Márquez is involved in a World Cup qualifier, the others are all friendly matches.

Xavi, Puyol, Henry, Márquez, Martín Cáceres, Hleb and Alves all have international fixtures this evening. All but one of the games are friendlies, for Rafa Márquez and Mexico face Honduras in a qualifier for the South Africa World Cup in 2010.

Big game for Mexico

Mexico meet Honduras at the Metropolitano in San Pedro Sula, and it’s an important fixture for the side managed by Sven-Göran Eriksson. The Mexicans are top of their group, but Honduras are hot on their trail in second place. A win or a draw for Mexico would guarantee passage into the final qualifying round. But if they lose and Jamaica can win by a wide enough margin against Canada, Mexico would be heading for a shock exit. The game kicks off late Wednesday, early Thursday at 2.00 CET.

Puyol in doubt

Spain have Barça’s Xavi and Puyol in the side that faces Chile in Villarreal (22:00, TVE). Vicente del Bosque is not sure whether he can count on the services of Carles Puyol, who has muscular problems in his abdomen, although the Catalan has been able to train normally with the rest of the squad.

Henry v Cáceres

There is also one direct encounter between FC Barcelona stars. Henry and France will face Uruguay, and Martin Cáceres, and the Saint-Denis, Paris, at 21.00.

Hleb also has a game, with Belarus playing an exhibition match against Cyprus in Nicosia at 18.00.

Alves in Brazil

Finally, Alves has been named in the Brazil side that entertains Portugal tonight (01.00 in the early morning).