Pune FC coach Derrick Pereira was disappointed on learning that his team's exhibition match against English Premier League side Blackburn Rovers, to be played at Balewadi on July 22, was called off due to security issues yesterday
Pune FC coach Derrick Pereira was disappointed on learning that his team's exhibition match against English Premier League side Blackburn Rovers, to be played at Balewadi on July 22, was called off due to security issues yesterday.
Rovers' trip to India was put on hold after Scotland Yard back in London issued a travel advisory to the English side not to travel to the sub continent following the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai.
"It's disappointing to have missed an opportunity to play top-level football. For Pune FC players, it would have been a good experience to play against such a quality team. But it's not a season dampener as it came our way unexpectedly anyways. We took that as an opportunity and I am still hoping that we will get a chance to play against them later," he added.
Meanwhile, Blackburn manager Steve Kean confirmed the trip had been postponed. "The trip is not cancelled it is postponed to another date because of the activity out there," Kean told AFP.
"I think the owners would have been disappointed if it was totally finished but the fact it has been put back a couple of weeks softens the disappointment."
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