Rovers defeat Pune FC 3-0 in exhibition match
October 7th, 2011 - 11:05 pm ICT by IANSPune, Oct 7 (IANS) English Premier League side Blackburn Rovers scored a facile 3-0 win over local side Pune FC in an exhibition football match amidst incessant rain here Friday.
Rovers’ visit is the first by an English Premier League side on Indian soil.
Jason Roberts scored twice, once in each half, and Spaniard Ruben Rochina netted one against a 10-man Pune side in front of some 6,000 fans at Balewadi Sports Complex here.
Rovers, owned by Pune-based poultry firm Venky’s, were without nine regulars including Martin Olsson and Radosav Petrovic, who are on international duties this week.
The Pune side showed solid defence to reduce the margin of defeat. The hosts were reduced to 10 men in the 15th minute as Anas Edathodika was sent off after two yellow cards for tackles on Junior Hoilett and Rochina.
Rovers took the lead in the 35th minute and Rochina soon made it 2-0 with a powerful left-footer. Roberts scored the third goal when he tapped a loose ball in the 76th minute.
The win must have given some cheer to Rovers, who are languishing second-last in the Premier League after losing five of their opening seven matches.
- EPL side Blackburn Rovers arrive in Pune - Oct 05, 2011
- Pune FC-Blackburn Rovers clash set for Oct 7 - Sep 26, 2011
- Blackburn Rovers to play Pune FC in exhibition match - Jul 13, 2011
- I-League: Pune FC beat Chirag United 3-1 - Nov 02, 2011
- Manchester City top Premier League as Bolton takes emotional win - Mar 25, 2012
- Chelsea lose at home to Villa - Jan 01, 2012
- Air India snap Mumbai FC's five-match unbeaten run in I-League - Jan 28, 2012
- Blackburn Rovers postpone India trip following Mumbai blasts - Jul 20, 2011
- I-League: Pune FC look to open gap on rivals for second spot - Apr 14, 2012
- Under-fire Kean gets owners backing - Oct 08, 2011
- Federation Cup: Mohun Bagan bow out, Wahingdoh upset Churchill - Sep 20, 2011
- Venkys to sponsor Mumbai Fighters - Nov 11, 2011
- Salgaocar ride past HAL 4-0, Pailan beat Mumbai FC 2-1 - Sep 21, 2011
- AFC Challenge Cup: India end campaign with 0-4 loss to North Korea - Mar 13, 2012
- Real Madrid steer seven points clear of Barcelona - Jan 29, 2012
Tags: blackburn rovers, cheer, english premier league, exhibition football, football match, hosts, incessant rain, indian soil, jason roberts, left footer, loose ball, martin olsson, oct 7, petrovic, poultry, regulars, rochina, tackles, venky, yellow cards