Ajax announce post-season China tour
AFC Ajax plan a tour to China with a full strength squad in May after the 2015/2016 football season, the Dutch giants announced on Tuesday.
The first team of Ajax will stay in Beijing and Shenyang from May 13-19 and play one friendly against Chinese Super League club Liaoning Whowin FC in Shenyang on May 18. In addition, on schedule are a clinic for local youth, a public training session and other various activities in both cities, reports Xinhua.
"It is a long-cherished wish to go to China with Ajax," Ajax marketing director Edwin van der Sar said in a press release. "After our Asian trip to Indonesia in 2014, we now visit China. It's good for Ajax to be internationally visible with this tour.
"It will be a nice experience for players and staff and, of course, China is home to Ajax sponsors CST (tyre producer), Huawei (telecommunications equipment and service provider), Sengled (smart-lighting company) and Le Sports (sports subsidiary of Internet group Le Eco) and an important market for our sponsors Adidas and Mercedes," the goalkeeping legend added.
Van der Sar has been to China before as Ajax director and he also accompanied Dutch King Willem-Alexander during a state visit to China last October. The Dutch national team last visited China in 2013 and won 2-0 against China in a friendly.
With 33 league titles, Ajax are all-time leading Dutch champions. The Amsterdam-based club leads the current table as well, with four matches remaining. The club also won four European Champions Cup/Champions League (1971, 1972, 1973 and 1995) and two Intercontinental Cups (1972, 1995).
Ajax plan to travel to China with all Dutch internationals, as the Netherlands failed to qualify for Euro 2016. Arek Milik may be absent. The striker has to prepare for the Euro 2016 with Poland.