YNWA!

The arrival of Rafael Benitez's star-studded side led by Spanish duo Xabi Alonso and Fernando Torres is a welcome distraction for the country dogged by the outbreak of type-A (H1N1) flu. Arriving directly on a chartered flight from the team's training camp in Austria, the plane landed at the Don Mueang airport slightly later than scheduled.

Around hundred fans - some donning the team's shirts and others holding the club's souvenirs expecting the players to sign on it - waited patiently at the VIP building for hours.

The fans' enthusiasm to watch their favourite players never faded despite the afternoon heat. However, some of them ended up bitterly disappointed as they barely got a chance to click the buttons of their cameras as the organisers took chartered buses up to the taxied plane and asked the players to embark on them. The buses then took the back exit to avoid the supporters.

It was a contrasting scene to what Manchester United did a few days ago on their visit to Malaysia, where fans were able to greet the players upclose at the airport.

A disgruntled fan expressed his disappointment at not being able to get a glimpse of his favourite player.

"I knew it would be strict. But I never thought that they would do this to us. If they had brought the players through the main entrance, I would have had a chance to beg for an autograph."

However, no disappointment was evident at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel, where the team is staying. A bigger crowd gave them a rock-star reception, with Torres getting the biggest cheers.

"We've been planning for this match for months. It's a fantastic welcome," said Ian Ayre, the club's commercial director. "We're very excited about the opportunity to play in front of Thai people. We've come here with our best players and the first-squad team.

"Unfortunately, we're without our captain Steven Gerrard as we all know that he could not make the trip due to his commitment.

"The rest of the team are looking forward to the game. As a club, we are looking forward to entertain Thai people," he said.

THAI GROUP EYE TAKEOVER

Meanwhile, The Sunday Mirror reported that Pairoj Piempongsant, a Thai businessman who brokered two takeover deals at Manchester City and Portsmouth, is playing a pivotal role in negotiations to acquire English Premier League club West Ham.

At the moment, the two parties are miles apart in their valuation with the group offering £75million and West Ham wanting closer to £125 million.

The consortium, whose investors are predominately from Thailand, are bound to raise alarm bells in the Premier League after claims that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is looking to invest in another Premier League club.

Pairoj is Thaksin's adviser. They worked together during the purchase of Man City.

TERRY FUTURE UNCERTAIN: LAMPARD

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard admits there is no guarantee John Terry will snub Manchester City's big-money bid to lure him away from Stamford Bridge.

City have already had two offers rejected for England captain Terry, but boss Mark Hughes is planning a new £35 million bid for the defender this week."I don't know what he will do," Lampard said in The Times yesterday.

"I've been in John's position, but everyone at the club wants him to stay.

"I had an option to leave last year, to go with a manager who I love, but it came at a time in my life that, maybe, just wasn't right.

"But the situation made me think an awful lot. It wasn't an easy decision, either, and I don't think people should criticise John.

"The fact is you can never take away what he's done for Chelsea. He'll always be a legend. I hope and I'm confident that, whatever happens, he will continue to be considered a legend here."