Pune FC vs Blackburn Rovers: Match Report

PUNE FC 0-3 BLACKBURN ROVERS

Pune FC, the I-League club, played host to English Premier League side Blackburn Rovers in the Balewadi sports complex in Pune, Maharashtra. Blackburn made this trip to India after the pre-season game that was scheduled between the two teams was called off in wake of the terror attacks in Mumbai in July 2011, making it the first match where a Premier League side played in India.

Blackburn Rovers, based in Lancashire, England are in fact are part of the lucky, or should I say, elite teams to have won the Premier League since its inception in 1992. They have won the English top flight league 3 times overall, and despite languishing at the bottom of the PL table right now, they are regulars at the highest division of football in England. The club was bought by Venky’s group and managed to survive the relegation battle last season.

Venky’s dreamed of having Rovers play in India and plans were made for a match between them and local I-League team from Pune, Pune FC. July was the first choice with it being the time for pre-season for football clubs all over Europe. Just when it looked like the grand event was about to take place, blasts in Mumbai led to the game being called off and the club authorities came out and explained their stance which was perhaps right. But, it was assured that Blackburn would return to India for a game in October.

And return they did! With the international break on, Blackburn landed in India, this time with the hopes of having a good game. Though ticket sales were dull because of the exorbitant prices (which wasn’t the case for the game scheduled in July), the organizers were hoping to make the whole thing a success. Some players from the first team of Blackburn were not part of the squad as they had to fulfill their international duties. But, players like Michel Salgado and Chris Samba landed in India.

Match Report

Teams :

Pune FC

Goalkeeper

Shahinlal Meloly

Defenders

Othallo Tabia — Caitano Costa — Wali Chika – Anas Edathodika

Midfielders

Gurjinder Kumar — Shanmugam Venkatesh — Baldeep Jr. Singh — Douhou Pierre

Strikers

Arata Izumi — Jeje Lalpekhlua

Blackburn Rovers

Goalkeeper

Mark Bunn

Defenders

Bruno Ribeiro — Zac Aley — Christopher Samba — Gaël Givet

Midfielders

Mauro Formica — Aiyegbeni Yakubu — Rubén Rochina

Strikers

Steven N’Zonzi — Junior Hoilett — Jason Roberts

FIRST HALF

The game kicked off with Blackburn playing from left to right. They controlled the possession, with the Pune FC backline staying compact and defending deep. There were many chances for the English team and would have got the lead early on if not for excellent shot-stopping and anticipation from the home ‘keeper. Pune FC’s left back Anas Edathodika was cautioned first for a reckless tackle and was soon shown the second yellow for another tackle, this time on the diminutive Argentine, Mauro Formica.

The clock showed just 20 minutes and Pune FC were already in deep, deep trouble. Rains started to pour down. Blackburn, having the one man advantage, came in with wave after wave, bombarding the Pune FC penalty box with aerial balls taking advantage of the size of their counterparts. However, the ‘keeper was up to it and it took a neat play from Jason Roberts to find the opener with minutes left for HT. Nzonzi found Roberts, who took a touch and turned and beat Meloly at the near post. It was HT and score was 1-0 to the visitors.

SECOND HALF

The second half began and Blackburn once again held a firm grip on the match by enjoying meaty possession. Credit has to be given to the Pune FC keeper for keeping the home team in the game despite the drone of attacks from Blackburn. A misclearance from a Pune FC defender and the ball went straight into the path of Ruben Rochina, the youngster who Blackburn had bought from Barcelona, and he smashed it in from outside the box to extend the lead.

Rochina then took control of the Blackburn game, neatly organizing every attack. There was only one chance for Pune when a decent counter meant Jeje, the young Indian sensation had time to go for the kill or make a pass. He chose the latter and missed it. Jason Roberts made that mistake pay as he took advantage of a defensive mishap to slot home the third goal, efficiently sealing the victory. It stayed 3-0 till the end of 90 minutes.

Rovers manager Steve Kean would be impressed with the way this game went and the crowd at the complex, though less in number, would have surely enjoyed every bit of it. Thanks must be said to Venky’s for making this happen, for the young Indians would surely have learned a lot from the experienced pros.

From the home team’s front, special mention must go to the Pune FC ‘keeper Shahinlal Meloly who looked great between the sticks.