GERMANY: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: Bayern returns to Munich after Urawa Reds defeat in Japan

Bayern players have returned from Japan to Munich on Tuesday morning (August 1) following their 0-1 defeat against Urawa Reds as rumours persisted that British pop singer Robbie Williams might show up for training. A day earlier, while in Tokyo, Bayern coach Felix Magath invited Williams to participate in a training session of his club, causing fans and the media to descend on the Bayern pitch in the hope of getting a glimpse of the singer. Asked about when Williams might play with Bayern's new arrival Lukas Podolski and his team mates, Magath said "I have no news." "As far as I know the question whether he (Robbie Williams) is coming is still unanswered." "He is currently suffering from some minor muscular problems but once he has them under control he will show up for the training," Magath said, adding with a smile "we always have room for good players." Despite Monday's late defeat by Urawa in Tokyo, Podolski, whose goals helped hosts Germany reach the World Cup semi-finals, looked sharp on his debut and twice came close to scoring for Bayern.

ITN Source | August 2, 2006

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