Rangers' pre-season friendly against Sunderland in Portugal has been abandoned at half-time due to floodlight failure with the English side leading 1-0 when the game had to be scrapped at the Estadio Municipal de Albufeira was plunged into darkness.
The Light Blues trailed the match after Luke O'Nien's 28th minute strike put the Black Cats ahead. The whistle was then sounded for half-time but when the match was due to restart, all four floodlights had gone out, plunging the stadium into ever-increasing darkness. Both sets of players were present on the pitch hanging around for news, as officials gathered to discuss what would happen but after more than half an hour the decision was taken to scrap the game.
Match and club officials present deliberated with each other for around 40 minutes on the touchline. It appeared one floodlight came back on, however the decision then was communicated to abandon the game altogether on what became a frustrating night for Gio van Bronckhorst and his men. Chaos had already struck earlier in the match when TV broadcaster Premier Sports' live stream of the match cut out temporarily, infuriating the Rangers fans watching.
It's the first friendly for Rangers in their pre-season schedule with a trip to Blackpool on July 16, and games against West Ham United at Ibrox scheduled for July 18 and Spurs on July 23.
But it will be hugely frustrating for Van Bronckhorst as it impacts on his preparations for the new season.
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