Chelsea vs Johor Darul Ta’zim produced an entertaining and dramatic pre-season encounter as the two teams played out a 3-3 draw at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Malaysia on August 9, 2026. The match was Chelsea’s final fixture of their Australia and Asia pre-season tour and gave new head coach Xabi Alonso plenty to think about ahead of the 2026/27 Premier League campaign.
Chelsea entered the match after a busy tour that included meetings with Western Sydney Wanderers, Tottenham Hotspur, Juventus and AC Milan. The game against Johor Darul Ta’zim was originally scheduled for August 11 but was moved forward to August 9 to help both clubs with their preparations.
Chelsea vs Johor Darul Ta’zim Result
The final score was Johor Darul Ta’zim 3-3 Chelsea.
Chelsea twice took the lead, but JDT showed impressive resilience and repeatedly found a way back into the contest. Liam Delap was one of Chelsea’s standout performers, scoring twice from the penalty spot, while Johor Darul Ta’zim demonstrated why they remain one of the strongest clubs in Malaysian football.
The result was particularly notable because Chelsea had defeated AC Milan 3-0 just a day earlier. With a heavily rotated squad against JDT, Alonso used the match to give opportunities to several younger and less-established players.
Liam Delap Shines for Chelsea
One of the biggest positives for Chelsea was the performance of Liam Delap.
The England forward scored two penalties during the match and showed composure from the spot. His goals helped Chelsea recover after JDT opened the scoring through Arif Aiman Hanapi.
Delap’s involvement will be closely watched as Chelsea prepare for the new Premier League season. The striker has an important opportunity to establish himself in Alonso’s plans, particularly as Chelsea continue to assess their attacking options.
Chelsea’s official pre-season squad list included Delap among the forwards travelling with the team, alongside players such as Nicolas Jackson, Joao Pedro and Estêvão Willian.
How the Chelsea vs JDT Match Unfolded
Johor Darul Ta’zim started positively and managed to put Chelsea under pressure. Arif Aiman Hanapi opened the scoring after Marcos Guilherme helped create the opportunity.
Chelsea responded through Delap, who converted a penalty to bring the Blues level.
The London club then moved ahead after Delap scored another penalty following a foul on Jamie Gittens. However, JDT refused to surrender.
Óscar Arribas helped bring the Malaysian champions level, with the goal taking a deflection on its way into the net. Substitute Bergson then put JDT back in front, setting up a dramatic finish.
Chelsea eventually found another equaliser when a late own goal restored parity. The match finished 3-3, ensuring both teams left the pitch without a winner.
Chelsea’s Defensive Concerns
Although Chelsea created several positive moments going forward, the defensive performance will be one of the areas Alonso is likely to examine.
The Blues conceded three goals against JDT despite having plenty of possession. The rotated lineup and demanding pre-season schedule provide important context, but the defensive lapses nevertheless highlighted areas that need improvement before competitive football begins.
Chelsea also suffered injury concerns during the match, with Mamadou Sarr and Aaron Anselmino reportedly forced off.
For Alonso, the objective of pre-season is not simply to win every match. It is also about evaluating players, testing tactical systems and determining which individuals are ready for the intensity of the Premier League.
Johor Darul Ta’zim Impress Against Chelsea
For Johor Darul Ta’zim, the 3-3 draw was a significant result.
JDT showed confidence against one of Europe’s biggest clubs and repeatedly exploited Chelsea’s defensive weaknesses on the counterattack. Their ability to recover from two Chelsea leads demonstrated both attacking quality and mental resilience.
The match also highlighted the growing international profile of Malaysian football. Hosting a club such as Chelsea at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium provided JDT with an opportunity to test themselves against elite opposition and give their supporters a memorable night.
Xabi Alonso Faces Important Decisions
The Chelsea vs Johor Darul Ta’zim fixture was another important step in Xabi Alonso’s first pre-season campaign as Chelsea head coach.
Alonso has inherited a large squad and needs to make important decisions before the Premier League season begins. Chelsea’s official tour squad contained 28 players, while several other first-team players were expected to join during the trip.
The coach must now assess which players fit his tactical plans, which youngsters are ready for first-team football and which members of the squad may need transfers or loan moves.
The 3-3 draw against JDT therefore offered more than just an entertaining scoreline. It provided Alonso with another opportunity to evaluate his squad under competitive conditions.
Chelsea’s Road to the Premier League
Chelsea’s 2026 pre-season tour is now approaching its conclusion. After their fixtures in Australia and Asia, the Blues are scheduled to return to Europe before beginning their Premier League campaign.
Chelsea’s first Premier League fixture of the 2026/27 season is scheduled against Fulham on August 24, 2026. Before that, the club is due to play another pre-season match against Real Sociedad.
That gives Alonso limited time to improve Chelsea’s defensive organisation, establish his preferred starting lineup and make final decisions over the squad.
Chelsea vs Johor Darul Ta’zim: Key Takeaways
There were several important conclusions from the match:
- Final score: Johor Darul Ta’zim 3-3 Chelsea
- Venue: Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, Malaysia
- Date: August 9, 2026
- Competition: Pre-season friendly
- Chelsea scorer: Liam Delap scored twice from penalties
- JDT scorers: Arif Aiman Hanapi, Óscar Arribas and Bergson
- Chelsea’s final Asia tour match: Yes
- Chelsea manager: Xabi Alonso
The match also became controversial after a planned penalty shootout did not take place following the 3-3 draw. Reports indicated that the shootout had been expected as part of the arrangements, but it was ultimately cancelled, adding another unusual chapter to an already eventful friendly.
Final Verdict
The Chelsea vs Johor Darul Ta’zim clash delivered everything fans could want from a pre-season friendly: goals, attacking football, individual performances and plenty of drama.
For Chelsea, the 3-3 draw should not necessarily be viewed as a major setback. Pre-season is primarily about preparation, and Alonso was working with a heavily rotated team after Chelsea had played AC Milan only one day earlier.
However, the result did expose defensive issues that Chelsea will need to address before the Premier League season begins.
For JDT, holding Chelsea to a 3-3 draw was an impressive achievement and demonstrated the quality and competitiveness of the Malaysian champions.
With the Premier League campaign approaching, Chelsea now have a short but important period to turn the lessons from their pre-season tour into improvements on the pitch. The Chelsea vs Johor Darul Ta’zim result may ultimately be remembered as a friendly, but for Alonso and his squad, the match provided valuable information at an important stage of their preparations.