Full Breakdown
Chelsea Stumble to 3-3 Draw with Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim
8/10/2026, 1:53:56 PM
Match Overview
On August 9, 2026, Chelsea faced Malaysian champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium. The pre-season friendly ended 3-3. JDT opened the scoring in the 14th minute when captain Arif Aiman Hanapi finished a pass from Brazilian winger Marcus Guilherme. Chelsea equalised just before halftime; Liam Delap converted a penalty after being fouled by defender Kevin Medina in the 42nd minute. Delap added a second spot-kick in the 62nd minute after Jamie Gittens was brought down by Óscar Arribas. JDT restored parity three minutes later when Óscar Arribas scored directly from a free kick. The home side retook the lead in the 86th minute through Bergson Da Silva. Chelsea salvaged a draw in injury time when Cristian Glauder (listed as Antonio Glauder in some reports) inadvertently headed a cross from Mykhailo Mudryk into his own net in the 89th minute.
Pre-season Context
The match concluded Chelsea’s Asian tour, which began with a 3-0 win over AC Milan in Jakarta. New head coach Xabi Alonso fielded a rotated lineup, giving minutes to fringe seniors and academy prospects such as Tosin Adarabioyo, Dário Essugo, Nicolas Jackson, and Emmanuel Emegha. Early injuries hit Mamadou Sarr (pre-match) and Aaron Anselmino, who limped off with a hamstring in the 29th minute.
Key Performances & Statistics
- Liam Delap scored both of Chelsea’s goals, his first for the club since January 2025.
- JDT recorded three goals from three different players: Arif Aiman, Óscar Arribas, and Bergson Da Silva.
- Eight yellow cards were shown.
- Chelsea’s defence, anchored by the inexperienced Tosin Adarabioyo, struggled against JDT’s high line.
Tactical Observations & Squad Rotation
Alonso’s overhaul of the starting XI from the Milan match left the side lacking cohesion, especially in defence where senior leaders were absent. The midfield saw limited involvement from regulars; Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck remained on the bench. Set-piece coach Austin MacPhee was reported to have shouted “shut the f— up” to a JDT bench player during a mid-second-half altercation, underscoring the tense atmosphere.
Financial and Competitive Gap
Chelsea operates with a budget measured in hundreds of millions of pounds, while JDT’s budget is estimated at roughly £11 million, a fraction of the Premier League club’s resources. JDT’s domestic dominance—12 Malaysia Super League titles and an AFC Cup win in 2015—highlights its rapid development under owner HRH Tunku Ismail.
Upcoming Schedule
Chelsea will return to England for their final pre-season fixture against Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, 15 August. The Premier League campaign begins with an away match against Fulham on 25 August.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact minute of JDT’s first equaliser: ESPN cites the 65th minute, while The Hindu does not specify a time. The naming of the own-goal scorer varies between “Cristian Glauder” and “Antonio Glauder.” No official post-match comments from Alonso or JDT’s coach Xisco were provided in the available sources.
