Report: Pune FC 0-3 Blackburn Rovers

Jason Roberts scored a goal on either side of a Ruben Rochina rocket, to get the Rovers an easy win against the local side Pune FC in their first match in India.

This is the first time an English Premier League club has played in India and the crowd was cheering both teams on. Both teams started well, with Pune FC defending every Rovers attack admirably.

However, Pune FC were reduced to 10 men in just 16 minutes, with Anas Edathodika being sent off for a second bookable offence in the opening quarter hour.

Blackburn could have scored thrice in the opening ten minutes itself, with Mauro Formica and Jason Roberts missing the target and a Chris Samba header being cleared off the line.

Rovers spent most of the match inside the opposition half, but many of their attacks were thwarted by amazing last ditch defending and super goalkeeping.

Jason Roberts finally broke the deadlock in the 35th minute, turning a defender and slotting home from 10 yards out. Junior Hoilett almost doubled the lead after skipping past two defenders, but his shot came back out off the underside of the crossbar.

Pune FC did not feel the absence of first choice keeper Subrata Paul, with his understudy Shahnila Meloly being in inspired form. He made an innumerable number of saves and was the only reason the scoreline did not reach double figures.

Rochina was having a good game, and he doubled the lead in the 52nd minute, hitting a scorching drive from just outside the box that curved into the top corner.

Rovers continued to apply pressure, but Meloly kept on denying them with brilliant saves. At one point, he made a trio of saves one after another, much to the delight of the crowd.

The introduction of Myles Anderson, Robbie Cotton, Nick Blackman and Jordan Slew did not alter the balance of the game, with the Rovers creating chance after chance.

A mistake by the Pune defence in the 75th minute led to the ball being knocked to Jason Roberts inside the box and the experienced striker scored his second goal of the night to make it 3-0 to Blackburn.

Meloly saved Pune FC again in injury time and the match ended with Blackburn being unable to add to their tally.