Chengdu Blades v Chelsea LIVE from 12.30pm
Chengdu Blades FC
By Since66
July 26 2008
This lunchtime Chelsea play their second match of the Asia tour taking on Chinese Super League team Chengdu Blades on the idyllic island of Macau. When this fixture was announced I knew that it was to help to raise money for the families who suffered dreadfully in the Sichuan earthquake.
What I didn't know is that Chengdu Blades are 90% owned by Championship club, Sheffield United. Even the club crest is the same as The Blades from Sheffield. Like their Super League counterparts Guanghzou, Chengdu have undergone a few name changes themselves. Chengdu were formed in 1996 when they were known as Chengdu Wuniu and played in China's PR Yi League. In 2007 they finished second in the Chinese Jia League and were promoted into the Chineses Super League. Other names that Chengdu have been known as include: Chengdu Taihe, Chengdu FC Five Bulls and now Chengdu Blades FC. Chengdu's home games are played at the Chengdu Sports Centre which has a capacity of 42,000. Their home colours are Orange shirts, White shorts and Orange socks and they play in Yellow shirts, Blue shorts and Yellow socks as their alternative strip. Michael Ballack joined up with the squad last Thursday after being given extended leave following his Euro 2008 extertions and his wedding and short honeymoon. Ballack is not expected to feature today although he has taken part in training sessions since his arrival. I would like to see Franco Di Santo, the 18 year old Argentinian striker, given a start after putting in a good performance on Wednesday as well as scoring one of Chelsea's goals. The game is being shown live on Chelsea TV, and there will be LIVE coverage on the message board from 12.30pm. 
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"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
Cech
Ferreira
Alex
Terry
A Cole
Essien
Deco
Lampard
Shaunie
Anelka
Kalou
Sheva is still out injured and Joe Cole is expected to be on the bench.
Scott Sinclair has been called up to the squad and is flying out.
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"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
Chengdu Blades 0-0 Chelsea
Just kicked off
Ricky and Mikel are amongst the substitutes.
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first shot in anger
from Frank after a move involving 20 passes or so
0-0
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0-0
Kalou breaks from a 30 yard pass from Frank - keeper clears
0-0
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6:30
0-0
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1st real chance falls to Kalou who shoots just wide after nice cut back from Anelka
0-0
11:50
Blades on the attack - offside
Blades are proving a sterner test.
12:24
0-0
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"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
still 1-0
19:50
still 1-0
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still 1-0
Anelka in the role he prefers fizzes one just wide from 25 yards
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Another touch for Cech
On the break 2 v 2 and Shaunie blasts high over from inside the area
still 1-0
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Deco has given away an awful lot of free-kicks in the midfield area
still 1-0
Chelsea's defence is getting a little bit more work than they got on Wednesday
26mins
1-0
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still 1-0
the pace of the game has dropped slightly
Frank hits a shot on target, gathered by the keeper
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32:18
2-0 Chelsea
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40:15
3-0 Chelsea
Shaunie has left his shooting boots at home
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Blades 0-3 Chelsea
Anelka
Kalou
Lampard
Right at the hand of the half - Blades Wang Song had a shot just over the bar
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Anelka seems to have a bit of steel about him - he was almost timid last season. Getting a bit frustrated at times as he could probably do with stronger support. That said, Kalou is very quick isn´t he?
SWP looks very lively, Frank some nice touches and the defence having a day off almost.
I bet Sheva wishes he was out there - plenty of chances going to waste.
Probably be quite a few changes for the 2nd half.
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"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
second-half is underway
Chelsea changes
Mikel on
Ricky on
Bridge on
Ivanovic on
OFF
Alex
Ferreira
A Cole
Frank Lampard
still
3-0
49:15
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Ivanovic has moved across into central defence
54:16
still 3-0
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61:40
Chelsea 4-0
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67:30
5-0 Chelsea
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Di Santo had a flicked shot saved by the 'keeper
still 5-0
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Chengdu Blades 0-7 Chelsea
Kalou
Anelka
Joe Cole (2)
Di Santo
Shaun Wright-Phillips
Lampard
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7-0 Chelsea
Next up
Malaysia Select XI on Tuesday 29th July 2008 at 13.45pm
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One more Asian game and then onto Russia? Working out well because as the quality of the opposition improves we will be getting fitter.
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"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
AC Milan
Lokomotiv Moscow
Seville
Both Chelsea games will be LIVE on the board.
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.
"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:12:11:17:03:32 by carefree2008.
