Liam Delap Scores Twice as Chelsea Draw Pre-Season Closer in Malaysia
Johor Bahru, 9 August 2026
Liam Delap scored two penalties, but Chelsea’s fringe players missed a vital chance to impress manager Xabi Alonso in a chaotic 3-3 draw against Malaysian champions Johor Darul Ta’zim.
A Tale of Two Halves in Johor
The final match of Chelsea’s Asian pre-season tour turned into a highly entertaining spectacle at Stadium Sultan Ibrahim Larkin, ending in a dramatic 3-3 draw against Malaysian champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) [1][2]. Playing less than 24 hours after a convincing 3-0 victory over AC Milan in Jakarta, manager Xabi Alonso opted to field an entirely different starting eleven to rotate his squad and give fringe players a chance to shine [1][2]. However, the hosts capitalised on Chelsea’s early lack of defensive cohesion, opening the scoring in the 14th minute when Arif Aiman found the back of the net [1][2].
Delap Seizes the Spotlight
Amidst the tactical adjustments, 23-year-old striker Liam Delap seized his opportunity to make an impact [1]. Delap, who joined Chelsea from Ipswich in 2025, had endured a challenging debut campaign, scoring only twice across 41 appearances in all competitions last season—representing a strike rate of just 0.049 goals per game [1]. Against JDT, he doubled his entire previous season’s tally in a single match, successfully converting two penalties, one of which he earned himself and another set up by Jamie Gittens’ industrious play [2][3].
Defensive Vulnerabilities and Fringe Struggles
Despite Delap’s clinical nature from the spot, the fixture exposed significant defensive concerns for Alonso’s side [1][2]. Operating within a high defensive line in a three-man defence, 28-year-old Tosin Adarabioyo struggled to find his composure [2]. Adarabioyo, expected to lead the younger players as an experienced figure, became embroiled in a confrontation with JDT’s Kevin Medina and ultimately lost the captain’s armband to 21-year-old Dário Essugo during the match [2].
Late Drama and Global Appeal
The second half delivered rapid-fire action. JDT equalised in the 65th minute through Oscar Arribas’ free-kick, which took a deflection off Delap to beat goalkeeper Robert Sanchez [1][2]. JDT believed they had secured a historic victory when Bérgson scored a low drive into the bottom corner in the 86th minute, but Chelsea salvaged a draw in the 89th minute when a dangerous cross from Mykhailo Mudryk forced an own goal from Antonio Glauder [1][2]. For passionate football fans worldwide, including those watching from the Kakuma and Kalobeyei refugee camps who find immense joy and community in European football, such high-scoring matches fuel exciting debates ahead of the new season [GPT].
Looking Forward to Stamford Bridge
The squad now returns to London to finalise their preparations before hosting Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, 15 August 2026, in their final pre-season friendly [1]. With forward options like Nicolas Jackson competing for places and Emmanuel Emegha currently sidelined with an injury, Alonso has crucial selection decisions to make before the competitive campaign begins [2].