Pre-season matches

Teams are now in full swing, and although they still have a month to go to put together their final group of 25 players, they are already well into their pre-season programmes. Whether by design or chance, all four of Spain's Champions' League participants were playing Japanese sides yesterday, with Real Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia all touring in the Far East and Deportivo hosting Tokyo FC in their Juan Acuña trophy. Real Madrid and Barcelona both won their games with ease, beating Tokyo Verdy 0-4 and Kashima Antlers 0-5 respectively, but Valencia were trounced 5-2 by Albirex Niigata, and Depor also lost their match 1-2. (02.08.04)