Club World Cup favourites Barcelona were greeted by a scrum of about 200 fans, journalists and security guards as they arrived here on Monday.

About 100 supporters wearing Barcelona shirts and holding banners were held back by the guards as the European champions filed through Narita Airport.

World Player of the Year Ronaldinho, wearing black sunglasses after the long-haul flight, waved to the crowd but was ushered away by security guards as he made to sign autographs.

Portuguese playmaker Deco gave a thumbs-up and coach Frank Rijkaard was the last man through.

Rijkaard's men are bidding to go one better than Johan Cruyff's dream team by landing the club's

first intercontinental trophy. Cruyff's side lost 2-1 to Sao Paulo in the equivalent fixture in 1992.

The Spanish champions arrive on a high, top of La Liga and with Ronaldinho underlining his return to form by hitting the winner against Real Sociedad on Saturday.

"This competition is something that our team has never achieved," the Brazilian said before their departure.

"To sum it up, this is a great scenario for the end of the year and we are going to give the best of ourselves to end it up in a great way."

Barcelona open their campaign on Thursday, when they will play the winner of Monday's match between Jeonbuk Motors and Club America of Mexico.

If they win that match, they are likely to face South American champions Internacional of Brazil in Sunday's final.

"We are getting ready for a very prestigious event. This is a very high-level trophy and we feel very

happy to be able to participate in it," Rijkaard said.

Club president Joan Laporta said Barcelona were sharply focused on the tournament.

"We don't need motivation. It is the FIFA Club World Cup. And it is no longer just one game, but more," Laporta said.

"We have never won this title and so we are very keen to win it, because we don't have it in our trophy cabinet. We are well focused because we know it won't be easy.

"I hope we can win on Thursday and get into the final. We know that if we put the work in, we can win this trophy."

Egypt's Al Ahly beat Oceania champions Auckland City 2-0 in the opening match on Sunday.

Sao Paulo won last year's trophy, downing Liverpool 1-0 in the final.

The tournament between six continental champions has replaced the traditional Europe-South America face-off held since 1960.