QPR go global for pre-season tour of Asia

QPR have announced two fixtures in a pre-season tour of Asia – and chairman Tony Fernandes is delighted that the club will be visiting his homeland.

He tells the team’s website: “We are very excited and honoured to be heading to Asia for our pre-season tour.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase our brand in this part of the world.”

 So far, two friendly fixtures in Thailand and Malaysia have been announced, giving fans there the chance to see QPR play live.

CEO Philip Beard points out that it’s also a rare opportunity for the players, many of whom have never visited Asia before.

The logistic challenge of transporting the squad to the region will be helped by the fact that QPR are currently sponsored by Air Asia.

And fans are told to keep a close eye on the team’s website for information about supporter packages, so that they can follow the tour too.

The tour includes time for training – and, according to Mr Fernandes, may be the first time a high-profile football team has toured in the region of Sabah.

But first on the schedule is a stay in Bangkok, capital of Thailand, where the squad is due to arrive on Tuesday, July 10th.

A period of training at central Bangkok’s former Suphachalasai National Stadium culminates in a fixture at the Ramajangala National Stadium on Saturday, July 14th.

The 60,000-seater venue will see QPR face off against a Thai All Star XI team, before the tour moves on to Sabah.

Kota Kinabalu and the 35,000-seater capacity Likas Stadium will be the team’s temporary home for training.

Finally, on Wednesday, July 18th, a Football Association of Sabah Select team will take on QPR at the Likas Stadium – a match that is likely to be a day to remember for the club’s Malaysian chairman on his home turf.