CONTINENTAL TIRES KICKS OFF AFC ASIAN CUP 2015 AUSTRALIA TROPHY TOUR

The first-ever AFC Asian Cup Trophy Tour kicks off in Beijing today, with the China leg of the seven-nation jaunt supported by world-leading tire manufacturer Continental.

Former AFC Player of the Year and ambassador for the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015, Fan Zhiyi attended the launch ceremony alongside Antonio Lopes de Seabra, Executive Vice President of Continental Business Unit Replacement Asia Pacific, Passenger and Light Truck Tires and James Clarke, Chief Executive, AFC Asian Cup.

The AFC Asian Cup Trophy China Tour, hosted by Continental Tires, will visit Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu, and will serve as the prelude to a series of consumer activities by Continental Tires for the AFC Asian Cup.

Continental Tires, as the official sponsor and exclusive tire partner of the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015, brings the Asian Cup trophy to China in order to provide Chinese fans with an opportunity to get up close with the most prestigious piece of silverware in Asian football.

As the opening chapter of the first AFC Asian Cup Trophy Tour, the China tour activities will also see former national football team players such as Fan and Cheng Yaodong as well as current national team defender Sun Xiang attend to meet fans.

The event is officially launched this evening before beginning its two-day tour in Beijing the following day.

The AFC Asian Cup will continue its journey around China in Shanghai on October 1st and 2nd where it will celebrate the 100-day countdown to the opening ceremony of the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015. The AFC Asian Cup trophy will then continue its tour in Guangzhou and Chengdu from October 4th to 8th.

"Football, the world's number one sport, its passion, techniques and spirit of teamwork conforms to Continental Tires’ brand DNA perfectly," said Mr. Lopes de Seabra.

"The tour is one part of the sponsorship activities by Continental Tires for the AFC Asian Cup. It sets up a platform for the brand to interact with consumers, and will extend and develop Continental Tires’ football marketing strategy. We are looking forward to promoting brand awareness and influence in China, and even further in Asia with the assistance of the AFC Asian Cup."

Dato' Alex Soosay, General Secretary of the Asian Football Confederation said: "Continental Tires is an important partner and they are always keen to support Asian football. The AFC Asian Cup Trophy Tour will facilitate football-related cultural exchanges across all of Asia. I firmly believe that this activity will further stimulate Chinese fans' enthusiasm for the AFC Asian Cup and attract more people to participate in the experience."

The AFC Asian Cup Trophy Tour will commence in China before visiting Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Korea Republic and Japan. The tour will arrive in Australia in December ahead of the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 kick-off on January 9