It was announced yesterday that Blackburn Rovers have successfully rescheduled their friendly with Pune FC. The two teams were due to play on the 22nd July 2011 before the match was called off due to the tragic bombings that occurred in Mumbai this summer.
On the evening of the 13th July three bombs went off in different parts of Mumbai within the space of ten minutes. The blasts killed 26 people and injured a further 130. It is not clear who was responsible for the blasts but allegations in the media have been made against the Mujahideen and the Mumbai criminal underworld.
Blackburn Rovers therefore made the decision not to travel to Mumbai to play Pune FC due to security reasons and instead played against Morecambe on the 16th July. This was a big disappointment to many Indian fans as Blackburn were set to be the first Premier League side to tour India. At the time Blackburn's owners Balaji and Venkatash Rao vowed to reschedule the fixture.
This has finally been done and the two teams are due to face each other on the 7th October in Mumbai. This is due to coincide with the International European Qualifier fixtures. England will play Montenegro on the 7th October and hence there will be no fixtures in the English Premier League that weekend. This means that the fixture comes in the middle of a two week break from the Premier League for Blackburn Rovers.
Blackburn are likely to be without players such as Morten Pedersen and Radosav Petrovic who are both likely to be playing for their countries that weekend. Steve Kean, Blackburn manager, is thought to be unhappy about the fixture and would prefer to give his players a rest. However, in India the fixture is eagerly anticipated. Blackburn are one of just four clubs to have won the Premier League, along with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United, and have recently beaten top side Arsenal 4-3.
Director of Pune FC, Mr Nandan Piramal said “We are very happy to host them. The opportunity is great for the fans and on Pune FC’s behalf I am happy to share this moment with the fans.” Pune FC's star striker Mandjou Keita, who scored 13 goals in the Indian League last season, is likely to start and Pune fans will be hoping the Guinean will be able to break through the Blackburn defence to help Pune record a victory against the Lancashire side on the 7th October.
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