Goals from young guns Mauro Formica and Nick Blackman helped Blackburn Rovers to an easy 3-0 win over Hong Kong champions Kitchee in the Barclays Asia Trophy on Saturday.
Veteran David Dunn also got on the scoresheet as Rovers sealed third place in the four-team tournament, giving manager Steve Kean a lift after losing a physical encounter with Aston Villa on Wednesday.
"We're happy with the performance, it was difficult conditions in the first half," Kean said. "But I thought we thoroughly deserved our win."
There was no place in Rovers' starting lineup for defender Chris Samba. The Congolese defender has been linked with a big-money move to Arsenal, though Blackburn said he was rested as a precautionary measure since a scan showed he has a groin strain.
Blackburn's preparations for the league campaign were disrupted when they were forced to postpone a friendly in India earlier this month after bomb attacks in Mumbai.
Kean has used this week's tournament to give his players valuable minutes on the pitch, using substitutions sparingly ahead of the start of the Premier League season in two weeks.
Formica opened the scoring with 10 minutes to go in the first half, putting away a diving header in the six-yard box after a deft cross from Australian winger Brett Emerton.
The Argentinian playmaker has looked promising playing on the right wing or in an attacking role behind Jason Roberts, and will give Kean some creative options with striker Nikola Kalinic set leave Ewood Park.
"When he first came to the club it was difficult," Kean said. "He had to change not only to the method of training of the club but also the intensity."
But the manager said the 23-year-old had developed into a strong attacking prospect.
Midfield anchor Dunn doubled the lead with a free kick mid-way through the second half, curling a shot over the wall and past the reach of Kitchee goalie Wang Zhenpeng.
"It feels great to get the first one under my belt even though it's a preseason friendly," Dunn said.
"We are very lucky at the club to have very good young players coming through."
Substitute Blackman, 21, wrapped up the match with a penalty after he was felled by Kitchee captain Ubay Luzardo.
Kitchee offered more in attack than they did in their 4-0 defeat to Chelsea on Wednesday night, but all too often their final touch let them down after promising build-up work.
The Hong Kong side had a chance to score with a first-half penalty after a clumsy challenge by Rovers left back Martin Olsson, but Spanish central defender Ubay Luzardo blazed the spot-kick over the bar.
Source: AFP
