By Alexandre Corrêa, in Japan
Photographs by Daniel Boucinha

Approximately 50 Japanese fans greeted Internacional on their arrival in Yokohama on Thursday. The team are in the city to play Sunday?s FIFA Club World Cup final at state-of-the-art Yokohama International Stadium, stage of the FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan 2006 final match.

Fabiano Eller gives an autograph on his arrival in Yokohama (Allen Chahad)

As though they were rock stars, Inter players were received on Thursday by Japanese supporters in Yokohama, where the FIFA Club World Cup final match will be played on Sunday. The delegation left Tokyo in the early afternoon (early morning in Brazil), and it took them one hour to arrive in Yokohama. As they were reaching the hotel, the players could notice that their fame among the Japanese increased a lot after the defeat of Al-Ahly. Around 50 Japanese fans, most of them teenagers, received them with applause and requests for autographs and pictures. The hotel security personnel needed to act on a few occasions to help the players reach their rooms, given the supporters? behaviour. Coach Abel Braga received flowers from the Japanese.

Inter greeted by Japanese fans at the hotel in Yokohama

Always kind, the players responded to every request and stopped to talk to fans. Some Japanese supporters carried photographs and albums with Internacional pictures. Some others wore the club jersey. The most celebrated players were Fernandão and Alexandre Pato, who calmly met all requests made by the fans. Rubens Cardoso, who substituted for Hidalgo in the second half of yesterday?s match, signed and gave away a few business cards with his photo. The Japanese fans tried to call the players? attention with their unique accent. They shouted ?Fernandón? and ?Alejandre? everywhere.

Before the party-like reception, the team enjoyed a tranquil journey to Yokohama, where they are staying at Sheraton Bay Hotel. The delegation left Tokyo around 13.00 with a joyful and calm climate. During the journey, Perdigão, Clemer, Ediglê and Iarley sang samba and pagode to the pandeiro beats of Luiz Adriano, who scored the winner against Al-Ahly.

Players at a joyful moment on the bus to Yokohama

Some players tried to spend time listening to music on MP3 players, many of them bought in Japan. Alex and Elder Granja, for instance, shared a pair of headphones to listen to Ivete Sangalo. Meanwhile, Alexandre Pato was curious to see his picture in Japanese newspapers. Edinho and Fabiano Eller, in turn, recalled a move from yesterday?s match. ?I thought you were going to head the ball, but when you controlled it on the chest, I became surprised," said Edinho to Eller.

 Alexandre Pato reads the Club World Cup news in a Japanese newspaper

During the bus ride, Colombian Fabián Vargas browsed the Internet and told his team-mates that Boca Juniors, his former club, had lost the Argentinean League to Estudiantes on the previous night. Edinho, Fabinho, Alex and Fabiano Eller exchanged information about the Brazilian transfer market, also obtained on the Internet. Suddenly, Edinho asked ?Is it Wednesday??, making a little mistake with the dates. Normal for someone facing a 11-hour time difference compared to Brazil.

After arriving in the hotel, some players went to their rooms to get some rest, whilst a group of players and coaching staff members went for a walk around the hotel in Yokohama. After that, the team proceeded to a training session.

Hidalgo

Peruvian Martín Hidalgo may not be able to play Sunday?s match. The full-back left the pitch in pain during the second half of the match against Al-Ahly. Yesterday, he claimed to be better, but did not go as far as to confirm he will play. ?I am much better, but I do not know whether I will be able to play. In the final, everybody has to be 100%. The important thing is that the team be well,? said Hidalgo. If the Peruvian is not fit, Rubens Cardoso should substitute for him.

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