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Malaysia XI 0-1 Chelsea: Controversial own goal spares Andre Villas-Boas’ blushes in Kuala Lumpur
Having seen Arsenal and Liverpool put 10 past their opponents, the Stamford Bridge outfit required another touch of good fortune to record their second pre-season victory
By Richard Parry
Getty Images
A controversial own goal gifted Chelsea victory over Malaysia XI, as Andre Villas-Boas side struggled to overcome the select XI in the national stadium.
Having recorded victory over Portsmouth at the weekend – via a Tal Ben Haim own goal – the Blues received another stroke of fortune as goalkeeper Tarmizi Roslan was cruely adjudged to have diverted a Didier Drogba free kick over his own goalline.
Malaysia XI had previously shipped 10 goals against Arsenal and Liverpool, but despite defeat they could feel justifiably proud of their performance against last season's Premier League runners-up.
Villas-Boas’ men quickly found their rhythm in Kuala Lumpur, and their possession play - coupled with deft close control and astute passing - conjured an electric atmosphere within the Bukit Jalil Stadium.
The visitors should have made the breakthrough on 17 minutes when Fernando Torres capitalised on a slip from centre-back Subramaniam Sooryapparad, but Frank Lampard’s effort span harmlessly wide of Mohd Farizal Marlias’ upright.
But Malaysia XI created chances of their own, most notably down the left flank as Wan Zack Haikal’s explosive pace saw the diminutive winger zip past the sluggish Jose Bosingwa, only for Hilario to deny him with a low save.
That attack saw support swing back to the hosts, and they in turn seemed buoyed and encouraged to go forward in numbers. Another brisk attack followed, and Branislav Ivanovic had to be quick to divert danger away, as Chelsea's early dominance began to diminish as the half drew to a close.
Latching onto a half-cleared corner, the Nigerian unleashed a thunderbolt of a half-volley from all of 30 yards. His strike zipped off the wet turf and caught Marlias flat-footed, but fortunately for the hosts his effort drifted wide of the post.
Chelsea's increased tempo sparked the contest into life as the hosts looked to match their elite opponents blow for blow, with Syahrul Azwari Ibrahim firing a dipping effort just over Ross Turnbull's crossbar.
With 70 minutes on the clock, Farizal was forced into his first real save of the match, and he kept his nerve to palm away a curling effort from Daniel Sturridge. It would be the keeper's last involvement of the game, as he was replaced by the 20-year-old Tarmizi.
And Villas-Boas' side were almost made to pay as an error from 16-year-old Nathaniel Chalobah saw Mohd Irfan Fazail let rip a first-time effort which had Turnbull well beaten, but again it drifted wide of the goal.
The friendly nature of the match evaporated from the ground as Tarmizi was adjudged to have bundled a Drogba free kick over the line. The keeper had tipped the ball onto the post, but the rebound fell unkindly for the young shot stopper, and having bounced off of his back and bobbled towards the goalline, with the linesman signalling a goal, with replays proving the ball had not fully crossed the line.
Starting XIs
Malaysia XI: Farizal; Jamaluddin, Sooryapparad, Mohd Azmi, Zamani Misbah; Mustapa, Fazail, Mohd Radzi, Hairudin Omar; Haikal, Yahyah.
Chelsea: Hilario; Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Rajkovic, Bertrand; Benayoun, McEachran, Lampard; Kalou, Torres, Malouda.
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Having recorded victory over Portsmouth at the weekend – via a Tal Ben Haim own goal – the Blues received another stroke of fortune as goalkeeper Tarmizi Roslan was cruely adjudged to have diverted a Didier Drogba free kick over his own goalline.
Malaysia XI had previously shipped 10 goals against Arsenal and Liverpool, but despite defeat they could feel justifiably proud of their performance against last season's Premier League runners-up.
Villas-Boas’ men quickly found their rhythm in Kuala Lumpur, and their possession play - coupled with deft close control and astute passing - conjured an electric atmosphere within the Bukit Jalil Stadium.
The visitors should have made the breakthrough on 17 minutes when Fernando Torres capitalised on a slip from centre-back Subramaniam Sooryapparad, but Frank Lampard’s effort span harmlessly wide of Mohd Farizal Marlias’ upright.
But Malaysia XI created chances of their own, most notably down the left flank as Wan Zack Haikal’s explosive pace saw the diminutive winger zip past the sluggish Jose Bosingwa, only for Hilario to deny him with a low save.
That attack saw support swing back to the hosts, and they in turn seemed buoyed and encouraged to go forward in numbers. Another brisk attack followed, and Branislav Ivanovic had to be quick to divert danger away, as Chelsea's early dominance began to diminish as the half drew to a close.
Tough test | Chelsea struggled to compete with spirited Malaysia XI
Latching onto a half-cleared corner, the Nigerian unleashed a thunderbolt of a half-volley from all of 30 yards. His strike zipped off the wet turf and caught Marlias flat-footed, but fortunately for the hosts his effort drifted wide of the post.
Chelsea's increased tempo sparked the contest into life as the hosts looked to match their elite opponents blow for blow, with Syahrul Azwari Ibrahim firing a dipping effort just over Ross Turnbull's crossbar.
With 70 minutes on the clock, Farizal was forced into his first real save of the match, and he kept his nerve to palm away a curling effort from Daniel Sturridge. It would be the keeper's last involvement of the game, as he was replaced by the 20-year-old Tarmizi.
And Villas-Boas' side were almost made to pay as an error from 16-year-old Nathaniel Chalobah saw Mohd Irfan Fazail let rip a first-time effort which had Turnbull well beaten, but again it drifted wide of the goal.
The friendly nature of the match evaporated from the ground as Tarmizi was adjudged to have bundled a Drogba free kick over the line. The keeper had tipped the ball onto the post, but the rebound fell unkindly for the young shot stopper, and having bounced off of his back and bobbled towards the goalline, with the linesman signalling a goal, with replays proving the ball had not fully crossed the line.
Starting XIs
Malaysia XI: Farizal; Jamaluddin, Sooryapparad, Mohd Azmi, Zamani Misbah; Mustapa, Fazail, Mohd Radzi, Hairudin Omar; Haikal, Yahyah.
Chelsea: Hilario; Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Rajkovic, Bertrand; Benayoun, McEachran, Lampard; Kalou, Torres, Malouda.
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Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
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Results
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Match News
Top Scorers
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