FC Barcelona brings tiki-taka to Southeast Asia

Thai and Malaysian football fans will be falling over themselves to be in attendance when Barcelona pitch up in Southeast Asia next week. Lining up with their new manager, Gerardo Martino, installed at the helm, the likes of Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets will be turning out in Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur for the first time.
 

 
The opponents in the Thai capital on August 7 will be the Thai national team, before a Malaysian League all-star team awaits three days later in KL, with the latter match expected to attract a whopping 100,000 spectators.
FC Barcelona’s Asia Tour 2013 will be sponsored by Qatar Airways, who are running a contest on Facebook that will provide a few lucky fans with the chance to win signed shirts, VIP tickets to the games, and an invitation to meet two Barca players at a private autograph session.
“We very much look forward to seeing our Thai friends again and returning to their country for the first time in more than 10 years,” said Sandro Rosell, Barcelona’s president. “This tour will also enable us to visit Malaysia for the first time, where we know we have a lot of dedicated supporters. We want to feel close to them, especially the children, and for them to enjoy the team and our players.”