Chelsea and Johor Darul Ta'zim play to 3-3 draw in Malaysia

The Guardian Sport1 min read • Latest: Aug 9, 2026, 7:05 PM

Last updated Aug 9, 2026

Chelsea and Johor Darul Ta'zim play to 3-3 draw in Malaysia
Summary

Chelsea ended their pre-season tour with a 3-3 draw against Malaysian champions Johor Darul Ta'zim on August 9. Delap scored twice from the penalty spot for Chelsea in a match that featured a fiery atmosphere. Manager Xabi Alonso made 11 changes to the squad, resting players after a previous match against Milan. With the Premier League season starting soon against Fulham, Alonso faces the challenge of reintegrating key players and addressing issues from last season’s performance. Chelsea prepares to kick off the season on August 24.

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By the Numbers
  • Chelsea draws 3-3 with Johor Darul Ta'zim in Malaysia.
  • Delap scores two penalties for Chelsea.
  • Xabi Alonso made 11 lineup changes for the friendly match.
  • Chelsea's next match is against Fulham on August 24.
  • Alonso aims to improve on last season's 10th place finish.
Latest Updates
  • 7:05 PMThe Guardian SportSeesaw draw in Malaysia gives Xabi Alonso food for thought at Chelsea
What they're saying
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Delap scores twice from spot in 3-3 draw with JDT Manager made 11 changes against Malaysian champions Chelsea’s problems mounted as their pre-season tour came to an end in a strangely fiery draw against the Malaysian champions Johor Darul Ta’zim. A bloated choice of forwards, echoes of their inexperience and indiscipline last season, and fewer than two weeks for the new manager, Xabi Alonso, to reintegrate key players and work with the entirety of his squad before they kick off the Premier League season against Fulham – managed by his old friend Álvaro Arbeloa – on 24 August. Alonso, tasked with transforming a club that finished 10th in the Premier League last season into Champions League qualifiers in just six weeks, made 11 changes for the friendly against JDT. He rested players after beating Milan with a strong lineup only 24 hours earlier, 600 miles away. Continue reading...

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