Like at home. The Japanese club made Real Madrid feel at home in the presentation of the match they are to play against F.C. Tokyo. The team managed by Carlos Queiroz, received by Japanese women dressed in flamenco costumes, enjoyed the music of sevillanas, the most popular Spanish dance. The Spanish ambassador in Tokyo, Javier Conde, hosted Florentino Pérez an the board of management during the ceremony. Raúl did not hesitate in addressing to everybody in their native language at the beginning and end of his speech with “ohayou”, that means "Good morning" and with “arigato”. The ceremony ended with the exchange of shirts and gifts between both clubs. The Ball Hall of the Four Roses Hotel in Tokyo was the selected place to begin the tour of Real Madrid in Japan.

The excitement that Real Madrid provoked during their Asian Tour had to be hold again in the presentation of the second match Real is playing in the Realmadridasiantour 2003. About 600 people waited for the arrival of the first members of the Spanish expedition. The president of F.C. Tokyo, Masahiro Tucahava, made a speech to thank the afford that the club has made in accepting to play this encounter against F.C. Tokyo: “the Japanese people are looking forward to enjoying Real Madrid footfall”.

Florentino Pérez was given a great applause before starting his intervention. Real Madrid President summarised in his speech the history of the club and assured the players will try to do their best in playing against F.C. Tokyo. The beer company, Santory, expressed their wish the visit of Real Madrid to Japan means the definitive expansion of Japanese football.. Javier Conde, Spanish ambassador in Japan, said he felt “proud of introducing the members of the Club as the best ambassadors Spain may have”, and he didn't let pass the opportunity of comparing the colours of F. C Tokyo with the colours of Barcelona, which makes the encounter to play on Tuesday “of great intensity”.

Before the arrival of the players, there was a toast to the good development of the tour. While enjoying a snack, two videos with the best moments in Real Madrid and F.C. Tokyo history as clubs were showed. Then, following a group of flamenco dancers made his entrance Raúl, Casillas, Guti and the rest of the players. The Whites, surprised with the enthusiastic welcome, showed their gratitude giving the audience a big applause. The players also enjoyed the music and dance of a Japanese typical group, known as edo, ashihara, rujin, daiko.

F.C. Tokyo coach, Hiromi Hara, y and its captain, Ruji Fujiyama, were in charge of giving Raúl González and Carlos Queiroz some presents as a way of thanking Real Madrid for this historic visit to the Japanese club. Real Madrid number 7 also give a shirt and a flag as a remembering of the event. At the end of the act Roberto Carlos y Ronaldo talked to some Brazilian-born players that played for the Japanese club.

Report: José L. Sánchez
Photos: Ángel Martínez
Special correspondent in Tokio (Japón)