Al Sadd wants to field 16 players against Barcelona
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Shanghai Daily, December 15, 2011
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FC Barcelona player Lionel Messi in action during a training session in Yokohama, near Tokyo, Japan, 14 Dec. 2011. |
Qatar's Al Sadd wants FIFA to allow it to field a team of 16 players when it faces European powerhouse Barcelona in today's Club World Cup semifinal in Japan.
"I've got a plan," Al Sadd's Uruguayan coach Jorge Fossati told reporters with a twinkle in his eye.
"If they agree to my request we are allowed 15 or 16 players on the field, I think we have a chance!"
Barcelona, bidding to win its second Club World Cup in three years, is expected to overpower the Asian champion when they meet in Yokohama.
Brazil striker Neymar scored a sublime opening goal yesterday as he inspired Santos to an exciting 3-1 victory over Japan's Kashiwa Reysol in Toyota.
The Libertadores Cup holders are expected to face Barcelona in the final on Sunday.
"Barcelona are the biggest team in the world," sighed Al Sadd captain Abdulla Koni. "If Real Madrid can't beat Barcelona, how can we?"
Barcelona flew out to Japan immediately after a crucial 3-1 "clasico' win over Real Madrid on Saturday, moving the Spanish champion above its fierce rival to the top of La Liga.
Al Sadd beat Tunisia's Esperance 2-1 in the weekend quarterfinals to earn a crack at Barcelona, although its game plan appears to be damage limitation.
"We have to try our best," said Koni. "We came here to learn. Realistically we only have a 10 percent chance of beating Barcelona. When they play us, they have to play slowly."
Al Sadd defender Nadir Belhadj also appeared in a quandary about stopping Barca's Argentine wizard Lionel Messi.
"Messi and Barca are on another planet," the Algerian told FIFA.com. "It's possible to guess what Messi is going to do but actually stopping him from doing it is another matter."
Even Brazil's much-coveted striker Neymar said facing Barca in the final on Sunday would be a daunting prospect.
"I don't think there are any particular tactics you use against Barcelona," shrugged the 19-year-old pin-up.
"You just have to pray, ask for God's help and give it your best shot."
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