BLACKBURN Rovers trail AEK Athens 2-0 at half time in their second match of the Sydney Festival of Football.

Rovers started brightly but were undone by a flowing move from the Greeks on 22 minutes.

Nathan Burns raced down the right before crossing for Argentine Nacho Scocco to collect, cut inside Steven Nzonzi and fire the ball into the corner.

Athens' lead was doubled two minutes later when Nikos Liberopoulos collected Leonardo's cross and volleyed past Paul Robinson.

Rovers enjoyed as much of the possession as Athens did but struggled to create any chance of not while the Greeks looked dangerous on the break.