Post by Macmoish on Jun 22, 2012 6:54:01 GMT
Queens Park Rangers to take Asia by storm in July
www.airasia.com/travel3sixty/queens-park-rangers-to-take-asia-by-storm-in-july.html/2
(Should click on links for photos & the Tour Logo! Joey Barton not mentioned!)
Queens Park Rangers to take Asia by storm in July
By Admin | 22nd June, 2012
Queens Park Rangers to take Asia by storm in July
By Admin | 22nd June, 2012 | Digital Exclusives | 0 comment.
Fresh from their first top flight appearance in 15 years, Queens Park Rangers (QPR) have proven themselves worthy of their Barclays Premier League (BPL) status, surviving the 2011/2012 season with remarkable wins against some of English football’s top clubs.
Now, before the start of another action-packed season, football fans in Asia are in for a rare treat as QPR head east of their Loftus Road home in London to play outside of Europe for the very first time.
Words: Abby Yao Photography: Back Page Images
QPR-AirAsia-Queens-Park-Rangers-Jamie-Mackie
Jamie Mackie rejoices after the 2-1 goal against Manchester City
QPR-AirAsia-Queens-Park-Rangers-Heidar-Helguson
Heidar Helguson scores the third goal against Stoke City
Challenging the Rangers
The three-city Asia Tour on July 14 to 24 July will see QPR go head to head against local teams in Malaysia and Indonesia in games that football aficionados cannot afford to miss. The tour is likewise a chance for fans to have autographs signed and photos taken with the players, and to join Q&A sessions with players and management at exclusive Meet & Greet events.
QPR-AirAsia-Queens-Park-Rangers-fan-flag
A young fan holds the QPR flag high
For the QPR Asia Tour, AirAsia will hold a regional search for the Ultimate Ranger i-Reporter via social media. Five reporters will be chosen to document the team’s journey from Kota Kinabalu to Kuala Lumpur and Surabaya, and report for AirAsia channels, which reach millions of fans globally.
AirAsia and BIG members will get the chance to win match tickets via exclusive contests. Sign up for free AirAsia membership at www.airasia.com today and be among the first to find out how to win tickets. Match tickets will also be available via RedTix.
QPR-AirAsia-Queens-Park-Rangers-Taye-Taiwo-Adel-Taarabt-Armand-Traore
Taye Taiwo, Adel Taarabt and Armand Traore wave to fans
Rewriting history
Queens Park Rangers Football Club was founded in 1882, borne out of Christ Church Rangers and St. Jude’s Institute merger. For over a century, the club has seen ups and downs, and moved from one stadium to another. But loyal fans have given the Rangers unwavering support throughout the years.
Following their 2010/2011 npower championship victory, QPR returned to top tier football in the 2011/2012 season of the Barclays Premier League, testing the team’s mettle on the field.
QPR-AirAsia-Queens-Park-Rangers-Bobby-Zamora
Striker Bobby Zamora hurdles West Bromwich Albion’s Gareth McAuley
Queens-Park-Rangers-QPR-Mark-Hughes-training-AirAsia
QPR manager Mark Hughes and players in a training session
In the thrilling final match against Manchester City, the R’s started out strong with a 2-1 lead but two more goals from Man City gave the latter a dramatic 3-2 finish and ultimately, the championship crown. However, it gave the pundits much to talk about at the end of the season and proved that the Rangers deserve to stay in the Barclays Premier League.
Forging a strong partnership
AirAsia began its partnership with QPR in the 2011/12 season as sponsor of the third and away shirts. For 2012/2013, the world’s best low cost carrier is proud to be QPR’s Main Club Partner, with the airline’s logos in the playing kit (home, away and third) for the whole season, adding red to the team’s signature blue and white hoops.
Spark the QPR mascot with AirAsia flight attendants
The partnership is in line with AirAsia’s commitment to sports development. AirAsia sponsors various sporting events and teams including Caterham Formula 1, Team AirAsia-SIC-Ajo MotoGP, AirAsia Japan & Australia Grands Prix, Oakland Raiders NFL Team and the AirAsia Caterham Driver Development Program.
For the latest updates on the QPR Asia Tour, follow AirAsia (@airasia) and QPR (@officialqpr) on Twitter and www.facebook.com/AirAsia and www.facebook.com/OfficialQPRFC on Facebook.
QPR ASIA TOUR DATES
KOTA KINABALU, MALAYSIA
17 July
QPR vs Sabah Select XI
Time and venue: TBC
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA
20 July
QPR vs Kelantan FA
Time and venue: TBC
21 July
Meet & Greet
Time and venue: TBC
SURABAYA, INDONESIA
23 July
QPR vs Persebaya Surabaya FC
Time and venue: TBC
MEET THE R’S
Get to know three of the 2011/2012 season star players.
Djibril Cisse
Few would argue with the view that – along with Heidar Helguson – it was Djibril Cisse’s half a dozen strikes from just eight appearances that kept QPR in the Premier League. Following a January move from Italian giants Lazio, Cisse promised ‘colours, craziness and goals’ – and he didn’t disappoint.
Adel Taarabt
Adel Taarabt’s season began slowly but it ended strongly. His opening strike of the season came in QPR’s 2-1 home win over Arsenal in March. His second special moment came against former employers Tottenham and proved to be the difference between the two sides. While Taarabt didn’t have the same impact in the Premier League as he did in the Championship, QPR would not have survived without Taarabt’s input.
Jamie Mackie
Fans’ favourite Jamie Mackie put a nightmare double leg break well behind him with a maiden Premier League season to savour. Despite maintaining a regular place in the starting line-up, it wasn’t until he came off the bench at Blackburn Rovers in February that Mackie struck the target again – scoring twice in a 3-2 defeat. He ended the season by scoring an unlikely R’s second goal at Manchester City on a dramatic final day.
THE ASIAN CHALLENGERS
Kelantan FA
Kelantan FA is widely considered to be the current best side in Malaysian football. The Red Warriors are the defending League champions of Malaysia and are playing in the AFC Cup for the first time. The team has qualified for the quarter final stages—the best achievement for any Malaysian club. The club has sold-out home games and often has its fans outnumbering home supporters when on away games.
Sabah FA
The Football Association of Sabah is affiliated with the Football Association of Malaysia. Sabahawks, the association’s football team, represents the state of Sabah, Borneo in Malaysia’s top professional football league, the Malaysia Super League. Their home matches are played at the 30,000-capacity Likas Stadium in Kota Kinabalu, the capital city of Sabah.
Persebaya Surabaya FC
Persebaya is a major Indonesian football team based in the city of Surabaya, East Java. In the 2011–2012 season, Persebaya played in the Indonesian Premier League, the official top tier football league in Indonesia. Their supporters, known as ‘bonek ’, which literally means “Couldn’t Care Less ”, are known for their passion and fanaticism for the game.
www.airasia.com/travel3sixty/queens-park-rangers-to-take-asia-by-storm-in-july.html/2
(Should click on links for photos & the Tour Logo! Joey Barton not mentioned!)
Queens Park Rangers to take Asia by storm in July
By Admin | 22nd June, 2012
Queens Park Rangers to take Asia by storm in July
By Admin | 22nd June, 2012 | Digital Exclusives | 0 comment.
Fresh from their first top flight appearance in 15 years, Queens Park Rangers (QPR) have proven themselves worthy of their Barclays Premier League (BPL) status, surviving the 2011/2012 season with remarkable wins against some of English football’s top clubs.
Now, before the start of another action-packed season, football fans in Asia are in for a rare treat as QPR head east of their Loftus Road home in London to play outside of Europe for the very first time.
Words: Abby Yao Photography: Back Page Images
QPR-AirAsia-Queens-Park-Rangers-Jamie-Mackie
Jamie Mackie rejoices after the 2-1 goal against Manchester City
QPR-AirAsia-Queens-Park-Rangers-Heidar-Helguson
Heidar Helguson scores the third goal against Stoke City
Challenging the Rangers
The three-city Asia Tour on July 14 to 24 July will see QPR go head to head against local teams in Malaysia and Indonesia in games that football aficionados cannot afford to miss. The tour is likewise a chance for fans to have autographs signed and photos taken with the players, and to join Q&A sessions with players and management at exclusive Meet & Greet events.
QPR-AirAsia-Queens-Park-Rangers-fan-flag
A young fan holds the QPR flag high
For the QPR Asia Tour, AirAsia will hold a regional search for the Ultimate Ranger i-Reporter via social media. Five reporters will be chosen to document the team’s journey from Kota Kinabalu to Kuala Lumpur and Surabaya, and report for AirAsia channels, which reach millions of fans globally.
AirAsia and BIG members will get the chance to win match tickets via exclusive contests. Sign up for free AirAsia membership at www.airasia.com today and be among the first to find out how to win tickets. Match tickets will also be available via RedTix.
QPR-AirAsia-Queens-Park-Rangers-Taye-Taiwo-Adel-Taarabt-Armand-Traore
Taye Taiwo, Adel Taarabt and Armand Traore wave to fans
Rewriting history
Queens Park Rangers Football Club was founded in 1882, borne out of Christ Church Rangers and St. Jude’s Institute merger. For over a century, the club has seen ups and downs, and moved from one stadium to another. But loyal fans have given the Rangers unwavering support throughout the years.
Following their 2010/2011 npower championship victory, QPR returned to top tier football in the 2011/2012 season of the Barclays Premier League, testing the team’s mettle on the field.
QPR-AirAsia-Queens-Park-Rangers-Bobby-Zamora
Striker Bobby Zamora hurdles West Bromwich Albion’s Gareth McAuley
Queens-Park-Rangers-QPR-Mark-Hughes-training-AirAsia
QPR manager Mark Hughes and players in a training session
In the thrilling final match against Manchester City, the R’s started out strong with a 2-1 lead but two more goals from Man City gave the latter a dramatic 3-2 finish and ultimately, the championship crown. However, it gave the pundits much to talk about at the end of the season and proved that the Rangers deserve to stay in the Barclays Premier League.
Forging a strong partnership
AirAsia began its partnership with QPR in the 2011/12 season as sponsor of the third and away shirts. For 2012/2013, the world’s best low cost carrier is proud to be QPR’s Main Club Partner, with the airline’s logos in the playing kit (home, away and third) for the whole season, adding red to the team’s signature blue and white hoops.
Spark the QPR mascot with AirAsia flight attendants
The partnership is in line with AirAsia’s commitment to sports development. AirAsia sponsors various sporting events and teams including Caterham Formula 1, Team AirAsia-SIC-Ajo MotoGP, AirAsia Japan & Australia Grands Prix, Oakland Raiders NFL Team and the AirAsia Caterham Driver Development Program.
For the latest updates on the QPR Asia Tour, follow AirAsia (@airasia) and QPR (@officialqpr) on Twitter and www.facebook.com/AirAsia and www.facebook.com/OfficialQPRFC on Facebook.
QPR ASIA TOUR DATES
KOTA KINABALU, MALAYSIA
17 July
QPR vs Sabah Select XI
Time and venue: TBC
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA
20 July
QPR vs Kelantan FA
Time and venue: TBC
21 July
Meet & Greet
Time and venue: TBC
SURABAYA, INDONESIA
23 July
QPR vs Persebaya Surabaya FC
Time and venue: TBC
MEET THE R’S
Get to know three of the 2011/2012 season star players.
Djibril Cisse
Few would argue with the view that – along with Heidar Helguson – it was Djibril Cisse’s half a dozen strikes from just eight appearances that kept QPR in the Premier League. Following a January move from Italian giants Lazio, Cisse promised ‘colours, craziness and goals’ – and he didn’t disappoint.
Adel Taarabt
Adel Taarabt’s season began slowly but it ended strongly. His opening strike of the season came in QPR’s 2-1 home win over Arsenal in March. His second special moment came against former employers Tottenham and proved to be the difference between the two sides. While Taarabt didn’t have the same impact in the Premier League as he did in the Championship, QPR would not have survived without Taarabt’s input.
Jamie Mackie
Fans’ favourite Jamie Mackie put a nightmare double leg break well behind him with a maiden Premier League season to savour. Despite maintaining a regular place in the starting line-up, it wasn’t until he came off the bench at Blackburn Rovers in February that Mackie struck the target again – scoring twice in a 3-2 defeat. He ended the season by scoring an unlikely R’s second goal at Manchester City on a dramatic final day.
THE ASIAN CHALLENGERS
Kelantan FA
Kelantan FA is widely considered to be the current best side in Malaysian football. The Red Warriors are the defending League champions of Malaysia and are playing in the AFC Cup for the first time. The team has qualified for the quarter final stages—the best achievement for any Malaysian club. The club has sold-out home games and often has its fans outnumbering home supporters when on away games.
Sabah FA
The Football Association of Sabah is affiliated with the Football Association of Malaysia. Sabahawks, the association’s football team, represents the state of Sabah, Borneo in Malaysia’s top professional football league, the Malaysia Super League. Their home matches are played at the 30,000-capacity Likas Stadium in Kota Kinabalu, the capital city of Sabah.
Persebaya Surabaya FC
Persebaya is a major Indonesian football team based in the city of Surabaya, East Java. In the 2011–2012 season, Persebaya played in the Indonesian Premier League, the official top tier football league in Indonesia. Their supporters, known as ‘bonek ’, which literally means “Couldn’t Care Less ”, are known for their passion and fanaticism for the game.
;D
