Blackburn Rovers to play in Pune on October 7

As promised, Blackburn Rovers are all set to make their presence felt at the Shiv Chhatrapati sports complex in Balewadi here on October 6 and 7.

This English Premier League team, which beat Arsenal in their recent outing, will play one exhibition match with a city-based under-14 team along with the main attraction — a match with I-league team Pune FC on October 7, informed Pune District football Association (PDFA). The All India Football Federation president Praful Patel and Sharad Pawar will be present for the match on October 7, said a PDFA official. Rovers were expected to play the match in July, but they called off their match after the bomb blasts in Mumbai.

Pune FC coach Derrick Perreira said that it would be a great experience for his boys when they take on an EPL team. “They are much better, technically. It would be a great experience playing them. I am sure my boys will gain a lot from the match,” said Perreira, while talking to DNA from Goa.

Pune FC director Nandan Piramal said, “We are very happy to host them (Rovers). The opportunity is great for the fans, and on Pune FC’s behalf, I am happy to share this moment with the fans.”
The exact time for the same is yet to be finalised, however, it is expected that the match will be played under lights.

The English side’s trip to this part of the subcontinent will be the first ever by any EPL squad. Pune FC will thus become the first Indian club to face a side from a league so passionately followed by the world. Blackburn is currently one of only four clubs — along with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United — to have won the Premier League, since it was started in 1994.

Pune FC, established in 2007, in its short span of existence has worked into becoming a model club in India owing to the systematic vision they have adopted in running a football club.
Having qualified for the I-League in 2009, Pune FC has so far achieved top-5 finishes — a third place in their maiden year of the elite league and fifth place last season. With Pune FC already based in the city, Rovers’ trip to Pune is the first visit by the team to the base of their owners.

“I am longing to witness them play against our own team. I have only seen them on TV but watching them live will be more exciting,” said Aston Mathew, one of the budding players from the city.