Pune: Blackburn Rovers were initially made to work hard by a ten-man Pune FC before eventually walking away as comfortable 3-0 winners against the Indian outfit in a friendly game on Friday.
Experienced striker Jason Roberts fired a brace with Ruben Rochina’s stunning drive sandwiched in between, as a superb display by Pune FC's second-choice keeper Shahinlal Meloly kept the score down.
The Lancashire outfit created history when they became the first English Premier League outfit to play an exhibition tie in India as they lined up against Pune FC.
In a bid to appease the fans, Blackburn fielded a relatively strong team with several of their top stars on show, led by the attacking triumvirate of Jason Roberts, Aiyegbeni Yakubu and Ruben Rochina.
Pune FC started with their strongest possible line-up, although they were missing Subrata Paul and Mandjou Keita due to injury.
The Lancashire outfit created their first chance within 3 minutes with Mauro Formica shooting just wide after a Yakubu lay-off.
Soon a defensive error led Roberts in, but his shot was brilliantly saved by Meloly, who produced a masterclass in goal throughout the game.
Steve Kean's men continued to apply pressure and Pune FC debutant Anas Edathodika got a yellow in the seventh minute for a tackle on Junior Hoilett, but Samba's header from the ensuing free-kick was cleared by the defence.
The Red Lizards, egged on by the home crowd, went to the other end and nearly scored when Jeje Lalpekhlua, taking advantage of Gael Givet's slip, set Baldeep Singh up, but the Indian international shot well over the crossbar.
However Pune FC's task was made harder when Anas got a second yellow for an ill-advised tackle at Formica. Blackburn almost went ahead from the free-kick awarded, but Ruben Rochina saw his free-kick saved well by Shahinlal.
However the home team seemed undeterred by the loss of their key defender and continued to frustrate their fancied English opponents.
Chris Samba saw two of his headers saved off the line and another goal-bound effort hit Roberts and went off target.
The Blackburn forwards found it a difficult task breaking a very organized 10-man Pune FC outfit, with Jason Roberts in particular frustrated by the excellent duo of stopper-back Chika Wali and keeper Shahinlal.
Chika Wali in particular was impressive as the recently re-signed Nigerian threw himself at every shot taken by the Lancashire outfit.
The rains, which then lashed in the stadium mid-way through the first half, did nothing to brighten the mood of the English outfit as they seemed to be running out of idea with long-distance attempts.
However Roberts finally broke the resistance of the home team when he brilliantly turned the impressive Wali and fired a low shot at the near post and found the back of the net.
Junior Hoilett almost made it two when his delightful chip came off the cross-bar, much to the delight of the fans, who were definitely making their presence felt.
The half ended with Pune FC creating two opportunities, but Jeje's tame effort failed to trouble the keeper while Douhou Pierre tried to play a pass to Jeje when he would have been better served by taking a shot on goal.
The teams went into the half-time, relieved to get a break from the heavy rain, with Blackburn leading 1-0. Pune FC though had definitely given a good account of themselves.
Blackburn started the second half much like the first, dominating proceedings.
A quick passing move then saw Rochina try his luck from 25 yards and his belter of an effort was brilliantly saved by Shahinlal.
The English outfit upped the tempo and saw efforts from Nzonzi saved on the line while Formica saw yet another effort saved by Meloly.
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