Bharti Airtel, a leading global telecommunications company with operations in 20 countries across Asia and Africa, announced on Tuesday that it has tied up with Manchester United to bring a variety of benefits for Airtel's soccer loving customers in Bangladesh.
These exciting benefits will provide Airtel mobile customers in the country with access to exciting benefits like exclusive mobile content, Manchester United Soccer Schools programme, 'money-can't-buy' match experiences & more.
The announcement was made by Chris Tobit, CEO and Managing Director, Airtel Bangladesh Ltd, in the presence of Manchester United legends Bryan Robson and Dwight Yorke at a press conference held in Dhaka.
"Manchester United is a powerful global brand that enjoys a cult following across the world - and we are today excited to announce our association with the club for our football loving customers in Bangladesh.
"Football is seeing an increasing interest amongst youth population across Asia and the same fervour and excitement towards this contemporary sport can be seen in Bangladesh as well. Through our tie up with Manchester United in this market, we look forward to bringing millions of soccer fans in Bangladesh closer to the action packed world of football", said Tobit, CEO and Managing Director, Airtel Bangladesh Ltd.
Commenting on the occasion, Ricky Thussu, Associate Relationship Director, Manchester United, said, "We at Manchester United are delighted to be here and kick off this exciting association with Airtel. This partnership between Manchester United and Airtel is symbolic of collaboration two global brands � both known to be among the best in their respective fields � coming together for their common passion for soccer. We are delighted to announce the foray of this association with Airtel in Bangladesh and look forward to connecting with fans across the country"
As part of this association, Airtel customers across Bangladesh will get exclusive access to exciting and rich Manchester United football content on their Airtel mobile phones. In addition, Airtel customers will also get an opportunity to participate in the Manchester United Soccer Schools programme (currently operated by Manchester United Merchandising Limited). Airtel customers will also get an opportunity to watch matches at Old Trafford and travel to Europe to watch Manchester United play in the Uefa Champions League.
Kick starting this partnership's initiatives, Airtel showcased the English Premier League (EPL) trophy for football fans from 23 January 2012 to 24 January 2012 at different popular socialising places. A special Value Added Services (VAS) pack comprising of exciting Manchester United mobile content will also be launched for customers in Bangladesh in days to come.
Showing posts with label Man United. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Man United. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Careless Man United given lesson by Basel
Manchester United got a Champions League wake-up call when they needed a late Ashley Young goal to salvage a 3-3 draw against FC Basel after lax defending had allowed an unlikely Swiss fightback in Tuesday's Group C match at Old Trafford.
The English champions blew a two-goal lead to trail 3-2 after Basel capitalised on a shaky United defence to stand on the verge of a famous upset and what would have been only a second home defeat in 33 Champions League games for the hosts.
Two Danny Welbeck goals in two minutes had given United a comfortable lead by the 17th minute and they looked to be cruising before Basel hit back with two goals in quick succession from Fabian Frei and Alexander Frei.
The latter then converted a 76th-minute penalty after some woeful United defending to turn the match completely on its head but they were denied outright top spot in the group when Young headed home in the 90th minute.
United boss Alex Ferguson blamed carelessness from the back four, who had been tested throughout the first half but let off the hook by poor Basel finishing and who had been thrown together because of injuries to this season's other regulars.
"In many ways it was a welcome to European football for them, they were very lax for most parts of the game I thought," Ferguson told a news conference.
"The attacking part was very good at times, but there was a carelessness about us, they could really have scored three goals in the first half."
Up front United had no problems, with Ferguson's decision to field Welbeck instead of the experienced Michael Owen and Dimitar Berbatov looking inspired after the 20-year-old's quick-fire double had put United in command.
Fabio crossed from the right to Ryan Giggs in the middle who teed the ball up for Welbeck to send a scuffed shot in off the near post in the 16th minute.
Fans were still celebrating that goal when Giggs combined again with Welbeck, standing in for the injured Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez, to double the score with a first-time finish.
The tables were turned in the second half when Basel's two Freis scored quickly, the first after a rebound and the second with a textbook header, to set up a mouthwatering finale.
The game tipped in Basel's favour when Antonio Valencia's clumsy challenge brought down Marco Streller for a penalty, a decision which Ferguson later branded "poor."
TWO BEERS
Facing his team's own noisy fans, Alexander Frei fired the spot kick confidently into the net to put his side on the verge of a huge upset.
Basel coach Thorsten Fink, an 80th minute Bayern Munich substitute in the 1999 Champions League final when United scored twice in stoppage time to snatch a 2-1 victory, knew all too well about the hosts' never-say-die attitude.
He was robbed of glory again when Young got on the end of an inch-perfect Nani cross from the right to score on his Champions League debut and rescue a draw.
Basel fans partied after the final whistle as if their team had won and Fink said the late United sting was nothing like the one in 1999.
"1999 was negative but this is a positive experience," he told a news conference.
"We were rather nervous in the first half, then in the second half we had the opportunity to show what we can do. I don't imagine many teams go two goals down at Old Trafford and turn the game around."
The glaring weaknesses in United's defence, missing the injured Chris Smalling, Nemanja Vidic and Jonny Evans, allowed Basel plenty of first-half chances and although they did not capitalise until the second half they were happy with the draw.
"I do have a glass of beer after the game, perhaps there will be two," said Fink, whose side have four points from two games along with Benfica, while United are surprisingly struggling in third with two.
The English champions blew a two-goal lead to trail 3-2 after Basel capitalised on a shaky United defence to stand on the verge of a famous upset and what would have been only a second home defeat in 33 Champions League games for the hosts.
Two Danny Welbeck goals in two minutes had given United a comfortable lead by the 17th minute and they looked to be cruising before Basel hit back with two goals in quick succession from Fabian Frei and Alexander Frei.
The latter then converted a 76th-minute penalty after some woeful United defending to turn the match completely on its head but they were denied outright top spot in the group when Young headed home in the 90th minute.
United boss Alex Ferguson blamed carelessness from the back four, who had been tested throughout the first half but let off the hook by poor Basel finishing and who had been thrown together because of injuries to this season's other regulars.
"In many ways it was a welcome to European football for them, they were very lax for most parts of the game I thought," Ferguson told a news conference.
"The attacking part was very good at times, but there was a carelessness about us, they could really have scored three goals in the first half."
Up front United had no problems, with Ferguson's decision to field Welbeck instead of the experienced Michael Owen and Dimitar Berbatov looking inspired after the 20-year-old's quick-fire double had put United in command.
Fabio crossed from the right to Ryan Giggs in the middle who teed the ball up for Welbeck to send a scuffed shot in off the near post in the 16th minute.
Fans were still celebrating that goal when Giggs combined again with Welbeck, standing in for the injured Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez, to double the score with a first-time finish.
The tables were turned in the second half when Basel's two Freis scored quickly, the first after a rebound and the second with a textbook header, to set up a mouthwatering finale.
The game tipped in Basel's favour when Antonio Valencia's clumsy challenge brought down Marco Streller for a penalty, a decision which Ferguson later branded "poor."
TWO BEERS
Facing his team's own noisy fans, Alexander Frei fired the spot kick confidently into the net to put his side on the verge of a huge upset.
Basel coach Thorsten Fink, an 80th minute Bayern Munich substitute in the 1999 Champions League final when United scored twice in stoppage time to snatch a 2-1 victory, knew all too well about the hosts' never-say-die attitude.
He was robbed of glory again when Young got on the end of an inch-perfect Nani cross from the right to score on his Champions League debut and rescue a draw.
Basel fans partied after the final whistle as if their team had won and Fink said the late United sting was nothing like the one in 1999.
"1999 was negative but this is a positive experience," he told a news conference.
"We were rather nervous in the first half, then in the second half we had the opportunity to show what we can do. I don't imagine many teams go two goals down at Old Trafford and turn the game around."
The glaring weaknesses in United's defence, missing the injured Chris Smalling, Nemanja Vidic and Jonny Evans, allowed Basel plenty of first-half chances and although they did not capitalise until the second half they were happy with the draw.
"I do have a glass of beer after the game, perhaps there will be two," said Fink, whose side have four points from two games along with Benfica, while United are surprisingly struggling in third with two.
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