Rangers 0-1 Sunderland AFC – fixture abandoned after 45 minutes
Sunderland AFC’s opening pre-season friendly was abandoned ahead of the second half due to a powercut at the Estadio Municipal de Albufeira.
An impressive opening 45 minutes from Alex Neil’s side ensured they led at the interval, with Luke O’Nien taking one of several opportunities created by the Lads.
However, the fixture came to a premature end after power failure within the stadium meant the second period was unable to commence.
Summer signing Daniel Ballard made his red and white bow after arriving from Arsenal, as Corry Evans, Alex Pritchard and Ross Stewart joined several other familiar faces in the starting XI.
After sealing a permanent switch to the Stadium of Light earlier in the day, Jack Clarke wasn’t included in the matchday squad despite being in attendance at the Estadio Municipal de Albufeira.
Former Black Cat Jon McLaughlin lined up for Rangers and he was forced into action early on, as Patrick Roberts tested the stopper shortly before seeing a second effort deflect off target.
The Lads opened the scoring with 28 minutes on the clock through O’Nien, who took down a looping corner at the back post before dispatching a cool finish from close range.
Stewart headed over and Embleton blazed over from 10 yards in the stages that followed, as the opening 45 minutes ended 1-0.
And that proved to be that in Portugal, as the game was eventually abandoned after 45 minutes despite the best efforts of all in attendance to restore the power and begin the second half.
Sunderland will resume their pre-season campaign on Wednesday, facining Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma.
Rangers: McLaughlin, Tavernier, Lundstram, Goldson, Colak, Davis, Kent, Katic, S Wright, Barisic, Arfield.
Subs not used: McCrorie, K Wright, Bassey, Simpson, Kamara, Zukowski, Kelly, Sakala, Middleton, McCann, King, McKinnon, Devine, Ure.
Sunderland AFC: Patterson, Hume, Ballard, O'Nien, Cirkin, Evans, Neil, Pritchard, Embleton, Roberts, Stewart.
Subs not used: Carney, Richardson, Matete, Dajaku, Diamond, Winchester, Gooch, Kelly, Taylor, Johnson, Sohna, Batth, Spellman.