HONG KONG (AFP) -- Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard defended the team's Far East preseason tour when the team arrived in Hong Kong here on Wednesday.

Barcelona defenders Gianluca Zambrotta and Lilian Thuram have criticized the tour, saying it will hamper training for the Spanish championship that kicks off on August 25.
But Rijkaard disagreed. ""We are all aware that we have to build up our preparation plan and are going on travel and are far away from home which is not an ideal situation,"" he said at the pre-match press conference.
""But we are a good team with good players and we play with good spirit,"" he said, adding that the team had won some important games on the road.
""It can't be an excuse that we cannot prepare well. We won't complain about traveling because it is our job and we have to do the best with our best possible players,"" he said.
The Dutchman said Barcelona were bringing a strong squad to Hong Kong for the final friendly match of their three-match tour, missing only three players who played in the recent Copa America.
New signing Thierry Henry and his partners up front – new sensation Giovanni Dos Santos, three-time African Footballer of the Year Samuel Eto'o and Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho -- are with the star-studded squad.
Former Arsenal star Henry has been used on the flanks during the tour rather than as an out-and-out striker but Rijkaard praised the performance of the France international.
""His form is fine and he is adjusting himself well in a new team,"" said the coach. ""He can give great contribution to Barcelona once he has fitted into the team.""
Despite the arrival of the marksman and other new players, Rijkaard did not spell out exactly what the target was this season.
""It will be an exciting season with so many wonderful players. We hope to win as many games as possible,"" he said.
Ronaldinho said the Champions League would be Barcelona's prime target in the new season as well as the Spanish title. ""We are confident of doing well and the preseason tour will definitely help us,"" he said.
With two typhoons approaching Hong Kong, the match on Friday night against a Mission Hills Invitation XI, a squad made up of players from Kitchee FC and Happy Valley FC, may be postponed.
A fallback date on Saturday has been scheduled, according to match organizer Ken Ng Kin