Barclays Asia Trophy Comes To Singapore For The First Time РArsenal, Everton And Stoke City To Compete

Singapore Select XI to play against Barclays Premier League sides in four team tournament that takes place on Wednesday 15 and Saturday 18 July 2015

 Tournament to take place at newly built 55,000 capacity National Stadium at the Singapore Sports Hub

11 MARCH 2015: The Premier League, the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) and Barclays have announced that Arsenal, Everton, Stoke City and a Singapore Select XI team will compete for the Barclays Asia Trophy Singapore in July 2015

This is the first time that Singapore has played host to the tournament and it will take place during Singapore’s 50^th anniversary celebrations.

The Barclays Asia Trophy has been held biennially since 2003 and is the only Premier League-affiliated competition to take place outside England. This year the Barclays Asia Trophy will see debut appearances from Arsenal and Stoke City, while Everton appear in the Tournament for the first time since 2005. The Singapore Select XI is the first team from Singapore to compete in the Barclays Asia Trophy. It will consist mainly of players from the Singapore National Team.

The four team knock-out competition will take place over two match days on Wednesday 15 and Saturday 18 July 2015, with a final to determine the winner and a play-off to decide third place. There are two matches on each day. The Premier League sides will be bringing their first team squads ahead of the 2015/16 Barclays Premier League season starting on Saturday 8 August.

All four matches will take place in the state-of-the-art National Stadium, which was completed in June 2014. The 55,000 seat venue at the Singapore Sports Hub features a retractable roof and every seat in the stadium is cooled by environmentally sustainable technology.

The tournament will be officiated by Barclays Premier League Match Officials and FAS Match Officials, and will also be staged in accordance with Barclays Premier League Rules. Barclays is the title sponsor of the Asia Trophy for the fifth time.

Ticketing and travel information for Asian and UK based fans will be announced during May. The Premier League will also then announce a series of coaching initiatives and knowledge transfer programmes to run alongside the Barclays Asia Trophy. Tickets will be sold separately for each match day but will include both matches taking place on that day.

Premier League Chief Executive, Richard Scudamore, said: “We are very excited to bring the Barclays Asia Trophy to Singapore for the first time. We know Singaporeans love their football and that they are huge fans of the Barclays Premier League. Our aim is to put on a tournament worthy of the Singapore’s 50^th birthday celebrations and for that we have three teams who epitomise the best of our League.

“Arsenal have always been one of the most thrilling teams in the Barclays Premier League: they have some wonderful players and I’m sure they’ll delight their many fans from across Southeast Asia. Everton under Roberto Martinez continue to play an exciting brand of football, while Stoke City mix flair with a never-say-die attitude. Fans in Singapore should expect our most competitive ever Barclays Asia Trophy.”

Andrew Jones, Co-CEO, Barclays Asia Pacific, said: “Singapore is a major centre for Barclays in the region, and being able to bring these top football teams to the Lion City during the year of Singapore’s 50^th and Barclays’ 325^th anniversaries is recognition of our strong ties and shared history. On behalf of our colleagues, clients and local Barclays Premier League fans, we are delighted to welcome all three teams to Singapore in July.”

Zainudin Nordin, FAS president, added: “The Barclays Asia Trophy is an ideal sporting treat for local football fans on Singapore’s 50^th birthday because it brings together two things that they are passionate about – the Barclays Premier League, and players from the Singapore national team.

“I’m sure fans will be keen to see how players from our Lions fare against the top class opposition that they see live on television week in and out during the Barclays Premier League season. The bulk of our national players are aged 25 and below. So, in line with our player development objectives and goals, the Barclays Asia Trophy presents an opportunity for our players to pit themselves against high-level opponents and gain some valuable match experience and exposure.”

Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Sports Hub, Philippe Colin-Delavaud said: “2015 is a special year for Singapore as it marks the nation’s 50^th year of independence. It is indeed an honour for Singapore to host the prestigious Barclays Asia Trophy for the first time, and an even bigger honour for the Singapore Sports Hub as a venue as we welcome the players, officials and fans of Arsenal, Everton and Stoke City. These clubs possess outstanding history and pedigree and football fans from Singapore and around the region are in for an amazing treat.”

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