Played
July 30, 2011 11:00 AM BST
National Stadium, Hong Kong
July 30, 2011 11:00 AM BST
National Stadium, Hong Kong
Blackburn Rovers 3-0 Kitchee SC: Rovers record easy win despite tired display
Goals from Formica, Dunn and Blackman ensure third place for the Lancashire club after Hong Kong side miss chance to go ahead with first half penalty
By Steven Slayford
Blackburn Rovers recorded a 3-0 win over Hong Kong side Kitchee SC as they secured third place in the Barclays Asia Trophy tournament in So Kon Po.
A lively encounter played out in front of an excitable crowd was defined by impressive performances from Mauro Formica and David Dunn, against a dogged Kitchee team who gave Rovers a run for their money early on.
The opening exchanges consisted mainly of Kitchee chances as they moved quickly to test Blackburn goalkeeper Mark Bunn, who made some smart saves in the early minutes.
Kitchee's persistence paid off however when, after a sloppy backpass from a tired looking Steven N'Zonzi, Huang Yang raced into the area with the ball only to be tripped by a stumbling Martin Olsson and the Hong Kong side were quickly awarded a 24th minute penalty.
Kitchee's Spanish captain Ubay Luzardo stepped up to take the kick, only to blaze his shot over the bar and far into the crowd.
The penalty miss appeared to kick Blackburn into action after what had been a lacklustre half-hour and the impressive Mauro Formica picked the ball up on the edge of the area, found Brett Emerton out wide who then proceeded to float the ball perfectly onto Formica's on-rushing diving header to make it 1-0 to Rovers.
From then on the Premier League side dominated proceedings and, despite clearly flagging in the heat, held the majority of possession.
Spanish substitute Ruben Rochina added some much need flair late on and his work paid off as he earned a free kick just outside the area which Dunn proceeded to curl expertly over the wall and into the top corner.
The scoring was wrapped up when defender Tsang Chi Hau shoved Nick Blackman into the ground as he was one-on-one with the Hong Kong side's keeper.
With just five minutes remaining Blackman picked himself up to take the penalty which, after a bizarre goalkeeping substitution, he calmed dispatched into the top right hand corner to secure a comfortable victory.
A lively encounter played out in front of an excitable crowd was defined by impressive performances from Mauro Formica and David Dunn, against a dogged Kitchee team who gave Rovers a run for their money early on.
The opening exchanges consisted mainly of Kitchee chances as they moved quickly to test Blackburn goalkeeper Mark Bunn, who made some smart saves in the early minutes.
Kitchee's persistence paid off however when, after a sloppy backpass from a tired looking Steven N'Zonzi, Huang Yang raced into the area with the ball only to be tripped by a stumbling Martin Olsson and the Hong Kong side were quickly awarded a 24th minute penalty.
Kitchee's Spanish captain Ubay Luzardo stepped up to take the kick, only to blaze his shot over the bar and far into the crowd.
The penalty miss appeared to kick Blackburn into action after what had been a lacklustre half-hour and the impressive Mauro Formica picked the ball up on the edge of the area, found Brett Emerton out wide who then proceeded to float the ball perfectly onto Formica's on-rushing diving header to make it 1-0 to Rovers.
From then on the Premier League side dominated proceedings and, despite clearly flagging in the heat, held the majority of possession.
Spanish substitute Ruben Rochina added some much need flair late on and his work paid off as he earned a free kick just outside the area which Dunn proceeded to curl expertly over the wall and into the top corner.
The scoring was wrapped up when defender Tsang Chi Hau shoved Nick Blackman into the ground as he was one-on-one with the Hong Kong side's keeper.
With just five minutes remaining Blackman picked himself up to take the penalty which, after a bizarre goalkeeping substitution, he calmed dispatched into the top right hand corner to secure a comfortable victory.
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Results
Live
Final
scheduled
Suspended
Cancelled
Postponed
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Edin Dzeko Striker Manchester City |
3 | 0 |
|
Samir Nasri Midfielder Manchester City |
2 | 0 |
|
Ramires Midfielder Chelsea |
2 | 0 |
|
César Azpilicueta Defender Chelsea |
1 | 1 |
|
Marco Di Vaio Striker Montreal Impact |
1 | 0 |
