Chelsea Draws 3-3 with Johor Darul Ta'zim as Pre-Season Tour Concludes
Xabi Alonso's Chelsea squad ended their pre-season tour with a high-scoring draw against the Malaysian champions. Liam Delap converted two penalties in a match that saw four goals in the final 25 minutes.
Key takeaways
- Chelsea utilized a completely rotated starting XI for their final tour match in Malaysia.
- Forward Liam Delap matched his entire 2024-25 goal tally by scoring two penalties in the game.
- A late own goal by Antonio Glauder allowed Chelsea to secure a draw in the 89th minute.
- The team returns to London to face Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge on August 15.
What Happened
Chelsea concluded their pre-season tour with a 3-3 draw against Johor Darul Ta'zim at Stadium Sultan Ibrahim Larkin. Manager Xabi Alonso opted for a complete squad rotation, fielding a different starting eleven than the one used during Saturday's 3-0 victory over AC Milan in Jakarta. The hosts took an early lead through Arif Aiman, but Chelsea responded with two goals from Liam Delap, both resulting from penalty kicks. The match intensified in the second half when Oscar Arribas equalized with a deflected free-kick in the 65th minute.
The Malaysian side appeared to secure a win when Bergson scored in the 86th minute. However, Chelsea leveled the score in the 89th minute following a cross from Mikhailo Mudryk that Antonio Glauder redirected into his own net. While a penalty shootout was anticipated to resolve the draw, the teams did not return to the pitch after regulation time ended.
Background
Liam Delap, who joined Chelsea from Ipswich in 2025, doubled his previous season's total goal count in this single fixture. During the 2024-25 campaign, the 23-year-old forward recorded two goals across 41 appearances. This match served as the final leg of Chelsea's tour before they return to England for their domestic preparations.
What Happens Next
The Chelsea squad will travel back to London following their stay in Malaysia. Their final pre-season fixture is scheduled for Saturday, 15 August, against Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge.
Key Facts
- The final score was 3-3 at Stadium Sultan Ibrahim Larkin.
- Liam Delap scored two goals, both from the penalty spot.
- Johor Darul Ta'zim scorers included Arif Aiman, Oscar Arribas, and Bergson.
- Chelsea's final goal resulted from an Antonio Glauder own goal in the 89th minute.
- Xabi Alonso changed all 11 starters from the previous day's match.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
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