Pre-Season Rout And Then Pull Out

Last updated : 15 July 2002 By -

Chelsea opened their pre-season campaign with an 8-0 victory against Italian minnows Cascia.

Boudewijn Zenden and Gianfranco Zola both hit hat-tricks with Mario Melchiot and Joe Keenan completing the rout with a goal apiece.

A crowd of around 300 watched the game. However, following the weekends success, Chelsea were suddenly faced with contractual difficulties with "Colours Asia Pacific Ltd", the upshot being that the tour to Malaysia and China has subsequently been cancelled.

A statement read: "As a breach of contractual terms by Colours Asia Pacific Ltd, Chelsea will not be undertaking the proposed tour.

"Further pre-season games to replace these are now hastily in the process of being arranged and will be announced in due course."

Chelsea have already lined up a friendly against Oxford United on Wednesday, July 24.


stevefurlong@chelsea-mad.co.uk