Club Friendly Preview: Pune FC - Blackburn Rovers
The historic match between Pune FC and Blackburn Rovers just hours away.
| PROBABLE LINEUPS |
| PUNE FC | BLACKBURN ROVERS |
In what is supposed to be one of the biggest matches in Pune FC's history, they will be devoid of their star custodian Subrata Paul. Shahinlal Meloly will take his place instead. Injury marred central defence will be a cause for worry, although much to their relief, regular defender Anas Edathodika should be fit for action. Elsewhere Pune are likely to have their first choices available, with only Mandjou Keita likely to make way for Subhash Singh.
After a rather disappointing Federation Cup, the match will be an acid test for the Pune outfit, with apparently a lot of pride at stake.
Languishing at the bottom of the table in the Premier League, this match will be a welcome change for the struggling Rovers outfit. The defensive Line-up is more or less likely to be the first choice with Gael Givet, Christopher Samba, Ryan Nelson and Michel Salgado completing the back four. In the midfield Junior Hoilett and Mauro Formica are expected to fill up the wings while Vincenzo Grella and Steven N'Zonzi pair up in the centre midfield. In the attacking half Aiyegbeni Yakubu is likely to get the nod ahead of Jason Roberts.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
Pune FC is one of the youngest clubs in the I-League, having been established in August, 2007 by the Ashok Piramal Group.
- Their first season in the I-League was a major success as Pune FC went on to finish 3rd in the 2009-10 I-League season
- The Logo of Pune FC is a shield with a Ghorpad (Monitor Lizard) engulfing a football. During the Battle of Sinhagad, Chhatrapati Shivaji's general, Tanaji Malusare, used Yeshwanti (Shivaji's pet ghorpad) to scale the steep walls of Sinhagad Fort. Similarly, the ghorpad on the logo is meant to serve as an inspiration to the club, to overcome all obstacles and be successful in India and Asia. The red symbolises aggression, danger and passion and the gold symbolises success and victory
- Blackburn Rovers was established in 1875, becoming a founding member of The Football League in 1888 and in fact is one of only three clubs to have been both a founder member of the Football League and the Premier League
- Rovers are the only club to have won the Premier League in the current format apart from Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal.
- The club's Latin motto is "Arte et labore", the club's translation of which is "By Skill & Hard Work".
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