Venezuelan 5-a-side soccer star hopes for a chance with Barcelona FC

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News Posted: Wednesday, May 07, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

Venezuelan five-a-side soccer player, Marlon Sanchez, who became world champion in 1997, could be joining the famous Barcelona soccer team but he won't be playing alongside Klaver or Saviola but in the Catalonia club's five-a-side team in what has been described as a very competitive league.

• In a trial with Barcelona's B team, Sanchez impressed club scouts scoring 2 goals against the A team.

Sanchez, from San Cristobal (Tachira), says it's his dream to play in Europe after Venezuela won the world championship against Mexico in 1997 ... he was on the winning team at a competition at the annual San Cristobal International Fair in January.

Catalonian club delegate Ricardo Calamardo has praised the young Venezuelan hopeful, "being here in Barcelona means that one is the best because only the best play here."

The team's five-a-side trainer presented Sanchez with a team shirt after his two-goal feat against the A team.