Real Madrid were welcomed by hundreds of fans as they arrived in Japan ahead of Thursday's Club World Cup semifinal against Mexican side Club America.
After a 13-hour direct flight, Madrid's plane landed at Tokyo's Haneda Airport at 5:15 a.m. local time. That did not stop many local supporters from turning out to welcome the squad, although, according to Marca, local police told Florentino Perez, Cristiano Ronaldo and company not to stop for autographs or photos but that did not stop a Blancos club statement giving thanks for the "great welcome" they received.
"Real Madrid have arrived in Japan, where this week they will fight for the Club World Club," the statement said. "The Whites' traveling party, led by President Florentino Perez, departed from Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas airport heading for Tokyo Haneda where they landed after a flight of about 13 hours.
"More than a hundred fans welcomed the team despite the fact that it was only a few minutes after 5:30am (local time). The team then travelled to Yokohama to stay at the Royal Park Hotel, their base while in Japan. On Monday the players will start preparing for the semi-final of the competition, which will be played on Thursday 15th against Club America de Mexico (11:30 CET)."
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Wow! What a reception from our #RMFans in Japan!#HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/Ij2nDVc2Bd- Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) December 11, 2016
Madrid left the Spanish capital early on Sunday morning, having the previous night set a new club record of 35 games unbeaten as they came from behind to beat Deportivo La Coruna 3-2 at the Bernabeu.
Club captain Sergio Ramos was, again, the hero with a late headed goal. He told reporters in the mixed zone afterwards that his team were looking forward to the chance to end 2016 by winning another trophy.
"We are leaving in good spirits, apart from the 14 hour flight we have now," Ramos joked. "We are happy, this is the reward for good work done last year, the chance to win another trophy. We want to play a good semifinal now and aim for the trophy."
Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane named a 23-man travelling squad for the competition, bringing all of his available senior players, with just Gareth Bale remaining behind due to injury.
Confirmation that Madrid would face Club America in Thursday's semifinal in Yokohama came when the CONCACAF champions beat Korean side Jeonbuk Hyundai 2-1 in Sunday's second round clash in Osaka thanks to two goals from Argentine striker Silvio Romero.
Afterwards the Mexican club's coach Ricardo La Volpe said that his players might be underdogs against the Champions League holders, but they had not travelled all the way to Japan just to make up the numbers.
"We have shown that we are improving, that we have not just come here for a stroll," La Volpe said. "Shirts alone do not win games, games are won by big men. We must redouble our efforts and take them on man for man all over the pitch. Today we had a weight on us, it was a game we had to win. Against [Madrid] we will play with more freedom. We know everyone already thinks we have lost the game."
Last year Club America also took part in the CWC but were beaten in their opening game by China's Guangzhou Evergrande and eventually finished a disappointing fifth. La Volpe said that in making the last four this time around his team had shown the heart and character of Mexican football.
"We showed a great attitude," he said. "The players are responding. This dressing room has character, which is important. The team lacks a bit of tactics, but they make up for it with the heart they show in every game. My players have shown strength, character, mentality and heart to leave behind what happened last year and show that today Mexican football is even more competitive."