The Uruguayan soccer club Nacional Montevideo, the latest champion in the local league, is to fly for China on Wednesday to compete in a three-team tournament with Espanyol (Spain) and Feyenoord (Holland) at the Chinese city of Nanjing on July 17-22.

In a last-minute change it was informed Tuesday that striker Alexander Medina will not go with the Uruguayan team, in the face of the possibility of being sold to Cadiz of Spain.

Medina will be replaced by striker Gabriel Alvez who had plans to remain in Montevideo for physical preparation work prior to the second part of the local soccer season.

Coach Martin Lasarte told Xinhua that his team will show the Chinese fans a soccer style with the ball by the grass, without long passes and a tough defense.

Lasarte summoned 18 players to participate in the Europe-America International Tournament in Nanjing.

Following is the roster:

Jorge Bava and Leonardo Burian; Carlos Valdez, Mauricio Victorino, Diego Jaume, Ignacio La Luz and Pablo Caballero; Oscar Javier Morales, Rodrigo Vazquez, Fernando Machado, Martin Liguera, Fabian Coelho, Luis Suarez and Alberto Silva; Gabriel Alvez, Gonzalo Castro, Luis Romero and Andres Marquez.

Nacional won the Special 2005 Uruguayan Championship after Defensor Sporting refused to take part in the finals, dissatisfied about referee decision which favored the former, it was said.

The Nacional coach said Alberto Silva, Luis Suarez and Andres Marquez, young players all of them who did not have an important participation in the tournament will be included in the lineup utilized in the Chinese contest.

When asked about the other participants, he said Espanyol had a good participation in the Spanish league and will be a tough rival, while in regards to the Dutch team he said he has not studied them, but considered they will be faithful to the characteristics of the dynamic Holland soccer.

Nacional is one of the most important South American teams, with three Libertadores and three inter-continental cups.

They have won 40 times the Uruguayan championship.

Source: Xinhua