Borussia Dortmund's Asia Tour will end tonight when the travelling contingent board a flight from Singapore to Zurich at 1:20 in the morning. A delegation enriched by their experiences in Asia will then take a connecting flight home, scheduled to land on Saturday afternoon.

The tour has undoubtedly been a demanding experience. "The time difference is a challenge, as is the climate here," declared CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke, who drew a very positive overall conclusion of the tour: "It was the correct call to come here for the tour because the people really appreciate it."

Whether in Japan, Singapore or Malaysia, the Black and Yellows have encountered waves of enthusiasm at each stop along the way. Watzke described the hospitality in Asia as "incredibly impressive" before adding: "The tour has made a real impression on us."

The agenda for Friday included the official opening of the Borussia Dortmund Representative Office in Singapore, to which the Black and Yellow delegation was welcomed with a traditional Asian lion dance. "Our colleagues were delighted to see us here," explained Watzke, who also had a few words of thanks for the club's main sponsor: "We are lucky that we are able to make use of Evonik's international network. It's a wonderful partnership to have."

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The tour has been a demanding experience for the delegation, with the team pushed to their physical limits at times. The training sessions and the matches, played in conditions characterised by high air humidity and high temperatures, have been exhausting, as was yesterday's gruelling return journey to Malaysia due to prolonged formalities at the border. To reward the players and aid their recovery, they were given their first and only free hour of the tour today at Marina Bay Sands, where the pool on the roof terrace offers a stunning view of the Singapore skyline.

This afternoon's training session will be followed by a sightseeing tour along the canals of Singapore this evening, after which the contingent will attend a goodbye meal before boarding the long flight to Zurich. (br)  

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