Pune FC coach Pereira wants his team to enjoy against Blackburn

Pune FCu00a0coach Perreira wants players to enjoyu00a0historic contest, hasu00a0a strategyu00a0for Blackburn

Pune FC coach Derrick Perreira has urged the nation not to judge his team on basis of the result against Blackburn Rovers in this week's friendly at Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Balewadi, Pune.


Senior Pune FC player Shanmugam Venkatesh seen in action during an
I-League match at Balewadi

Earlier, East Bengal and Salgaocar gave up the opportunity to play Blackburn, as the match would coincide with their pre-season preparations. However, Pune FC grabbed the opportunity, and even pre-poned their pre-season training by three days.

On Friday, Blackburn, owned by Pune-based Venky's Limited, will become the first English Premier League team to play in India. "Blackburn is a very big club. Our players and management are excited about the match. It's a huge thing for us," Perreira told MiD DAY.

The Red Lizards will be without skipper Subrata Paul and star forward Jeje Lalpekhlua, who are currently on national duty. But lack of preparation and omission of key players is not dampening Perreira's spirits. "We never back out. It's a learning experience for us. We have just assembled the team but we'll try and do our best to put up a good show," he said.

The former Mahindra United coach is aware of the enormous task awaiting his team. But he believes that the result of the match is inconsequential. "Don't judge us on this result. There is a big gap between the two teams.

"We are playing against a team hailing from a country (England) in the top five whereas India is ranked 146.
"We're not looking at results. It's just an opportunity to rub shoulders with the best in the world. It will show where we stand," said Perreira.

Pune FC players may be lacking on match fitness but do have a plan on how to tackle their highly rated English opposition. "You cannot single out their (Blackburn) players.u00a0

The key is to work as a unit.u00a0 They are an excellent team. Physically we are not a 100 percent but are preparing hard and have a plan," said Perreira.