Sunderland's friendly against Rangers has been abandoned after a powercut hit the Estadio Municipal de Albufeira. With Sunderland leading 1-0 at half-time, the teams were returning to the field for the second period when the floodlights went off along with all power inside the stadium.
Black Cats head coach Alex Neil could be seen speaking to officials from Rangers and referee Helder Malheiro as they tried to decide what to do. With darkness falling quickly, there was no possibility of playing on without floodlights.
And while some emergency lighting eventually came on in the main stand, and part of two floodlights came back on, after a delay of around 45 minutes an announcement was made confirming that the game was called off, and Sunderland's players came across to applaud their fans before heading for the tunnel.
Sunderland had dominated the first half, with Luke O'Nien putting Neil's side in front just before the half-hour from an Alex Pritchard set-piece. Patrick Roberts had earlier forced ex-Sunderland goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin into a crucial save, and as half-time approached Elliot Embleton blazed a chance over the bar from the edge of the box.
Rangers' only opportunity fell to new signing Antonio Colak, but Anthony Patterson was well positioned to make the save at his near post.
Neil had included new defensive recruit Daniel Ballard in his starting XI, with the former Arsenal man lining up alongside Luke O'Nien in central defence.
But while latest addition Jack Clarke was at the ground after flying in to complete his move from Spurs today, he was not included in the squad.
How they lined up
Sunderland: 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
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
Referee: Helder Malheiro
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