Vialli rises to the occasion as Chelsea show their style
Italian international Gianluca Vialli struck a brace of goals as English FA Cup holders Chelsea edged South China 3-2 in an exhibition match before a near-capacity crowd at the Siu Sai Wan Stadium.
The former Juventus star, who played his first complete match in months, struck in the 38th and 40th minutes last night to set the London giants on their way to victory.
His Italian international teammate, Roberto di Matteo - who four days ago scored the quickest goal in an FA Cup final this century - gave Chelsea a 3-0, half-time lead with an outstanding finish near the right-hand post.
Chelsea were content to sit back in the second half, having built up a healthy lead, as the Caroliners struck back with goals from midfielder Shum Kwok-pui in the 71st minute, and striker Ricky Cheng Siu-chung in the last minute.
Chelsea player-manager Ruud Gullit was pleased with his team's performance.
'We're pretty pleased to get out here as the atmosphere back home wasn't right for a holiday. This gives us the chance to experience Hong Kong football,' said the former Dutch international.
'I'm happy with the way the team performed and played. We have a certain status and we have to honour it. Under the circumstances, they [South China] played good football. We always try to be professional.' Chelsea never looked in danger of losing the match as they controlled the pace, and South China lacked bite in front of goal.
The other Italian superstar, Gianfranco Zola, was an immediate hit with the 10,500 crowd, showing his sublime skills in the first half.
The diminutive midfielder, who has the knack of banging in goals regularly, impressed with his dribbling skills, especially when he took on South China winger Lee Kin-wo on the edge of the penalty area in the 14th minute, and easily swept past the nippy forward on the outside left.
Vialli, who last night failed to dispel speculation about his future with the London club, was undoubtedly the star of the night, always the entertainer and making several outrageous attempts on goal, including a spectacular overhead kick in the 18th minute, which wasn't too far off-target.
South China guest striker Bullen wasted an excellent chance in the 21st minute, which caused more moans from the crowd after his first- minute miss.
Bullen collected a left-wing cross from striker Au Wai-lun, but made a hash of things when he allowed Frode Grodas too much time to smother his low shot.
But then it was time for the Vialli show as he gave Chelsea a 1-0 lead in the 38th minute.
Zola fed in a pass from the left and Vialli, unmarked, blasted a low shot past South China's Dutch goalkeeper Werner Kooistra.
If that wasn't enough to convince the fans of his great finishing, the shaven-headed forward showed his outstanding ability again just two minutes later.
Paul Hughes made a move down the left before flicking the ball to Scott Minto, who saw Vialli lurking unmarked inside the penalty box. Vialli had his first attempt blocked by a defender before striking his second shot past Kooistra.
Chelsea were in the driver's seat now and Di Matteo made it 3-0 just before the break with a gem of a goal. Frank Sinclair sent the ball in from the right and Di Matteo slid the ball home with his left foot.
While spectators were expecting another flurry of goals from Chelsea after the break, South China showed their tenacity with a sterling comeback to make the scoreline more respectable.
Shum drew the loudest cheer of the night when he reduced the arrears to 3-1, finishing with a powerful header and Cheng made the score 3-2, after shooting past 'keeper Kevin Hitchcock, a second- half replacement for Grodas.
