Late own goal secures draw for Chelsea against Johor in feisty friendly

By admin — In News — August 9, 2026

   ​Liam Delap scored twice from the spot as Chelsea were given a tough test against Johor – Darren Walsh/Getty ImagesJohor 3 Chelsea 3Chelsea ended their Far East tour with a hard-earned, bad-tempered draw against Malaysian champions Johor.Having played just 24 hours earlier in Jakarta – a 3-0 win over AC Milan – it was no surprise to see Xabi Alonso name a fresh XI, a mixture of players who may well be offloaded before the end of the transfer window, those needing to prove themselves, and youngsters given much-needed game time.And considering Johor are one game away from setting a new world record of 109 matches unbeaten in the top flight – a run that would surpass the current mark set by Ivorian side Asec Mimosas in the early 1990s – it was also no shock to see the Malaysian powerhouses offer a stern, pre-season test for the west Londoners.After a good start Chelsea were second best in a first half that should have seen Johor at least two goals to the good. The Malaysian powerhouses controlled the first 45 minutes and were 1-0 up after 14 minutes – a low cross from the left side footed home by Arif Aiman.The hosts caused the young, inexperienced Chelsea backline a torrid time, especially on the flanks, and Óscar Arribas was guilty of not capitalising on a great chance to double Johor’s lead, his shot, after cutting in from the right, going wide.While they looked vulnerable at the back Chelsea also struggled to keep possession in attack. But they got an equaliser they scarcely deserved after Liam Delap was manhandled to the ground in the box by Kevin Medina. The striker, who may well leave Stamford Bridge before the transfer window slams shut, fired home the spot kick allowing the visitors to go into the break on level terms.Liam Delap rescued Chelsea’s first half with an equaliser from the spot – Darren Walsh/Getty ImagesFor the most part, the second half followed a similar pattern to the first – Jofor having the better chances, while tensions overflowed at certain points in a match that paid little attention to the “friendly” aspect of the clash with seven yellow cards given.It was, however, Chelsea who took the lead after the break, Delap once again scoring from the spot, this time after Jamie Gittens was brought down in the area.Johor, though, kept on creating, thanks in part to a fairly porous visitors’ backline, and levelled through a deflected Arribas free kick, before going 3-2 up thanks thanks to a well-taken Bérgson strike.Had it stayed that way Chelsea could have had few complaints. But as the clock approached 90 minutes, the visitors had one last attack. Mykhailo Mudryk, just on as a substitute, delivered a cross from the left that Antonio Glauder could only steer into his own net. A penalty shootout had been expected to decide the match, but the CFC+ commentary team suggested the spot-kicks were abandoned because of the match’s heated atmosphere. Considering raft of changes and that fact this was far from th  

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