Source: Telegraph
Chelsea fail to convince in 1-0 win against Malaysia XI
By Jason Burt, Kuala Lumpur[LNB]4:48PM BST 21 Jul 2011[LNB]Comments[LNB] They defeated a Malaysian select courtesy of a goal credited to Didier Drogba by the stadium announcer but his free-kick cannoned off the post, struck reserve goalkeeper Mohd Izham Tarmizi on the back and crept over the line. Or didn't, as the Malaysians claimed. [LNB]The assistant referee gave it but it didn't appear conclusive and there was no benefit of replays inside the stadium. [LNB]Still it saved Chelsea's blushes just as Tal Ben Haim had scored an own goal in the previous friendly, away to Portsmouth. How they toiled in the heat in front of their new manager André Villas-Boas. Much work needs to be done to hone this team. [LNB]There was a familiar theme of concern the indifferent form of Fernando Torres. Despite a summer of rest, the £50m striker still looked woefully short of confidence. Fitness is, of course, an issue for all at this time of the season and the 12-hour flight, heat and humidity of Kuala Lumpur did not help. [LNB]Torres gained the biggest cheer when the teams were read out but as he failed to live up to that star billing. [LNB]Related Articles
