PETALING JAYA: Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) coach Xisco Munoz has described the performance of his team against Chelsea as a strong marker before the start of the Malaysian League this month.
The Southern Tigers went into the high-profile friendly determined to match the physicality and intensity associated with English football and came out with a fiery 3-3 draw at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium on Sunday.
The game produced eight yellow cards, three for the Southern Tigers and five for Chelsea, an unusually high tally for a friendly fixture.
“It was an amazing performance from the boys. This is the level we demand. They showed character, power and passion, and this will put us in the right path towards a stronger season,” said Munoz.
“I know what English football can do. It is difficult with the spaces they create, they do a lot of amazing things.
“But most important for us was focusing on what we did.
‘‘We had different phases in the game and knew what needed to be done.”
Munoz praised his side’s composure in possession, though he acknowledged his new signings are still adapting.
“The new players have only had a short time working with us, but they can improve.
“No one can afford to switch off in our squad and they know that. We need to be on our toes at all times and give our maximum, whatever the game.”
Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso praised the club’s growth and the standard of the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium.
“We are happy to be here in Johor. It’s a fantastic stadium, and a club doing things well.
“I’ve followed them for a while, thanks to the influence of Spanish people there.
‘‘I know them well and wish them well,” said Alonso.
On the pitch, JDT broke the deadlock in the 14th minute through captain and winger Arif Aiman Hanapi, who finished a pass from fellow winger Marcus Guilherme.
Chelsea levelled soon after when Liam Delap converted a penalty, awarded after Colombian centreback Kevin Medina fouled him inside the box.
The Premier League side then edged ahead early in the second half, with Delap netting a second penalty in the 62nd minute.
JDT responded through Spanish wingback Oscar Arribas, who equalised in the 65th minute, before Brazilian striker Bergson Da Silva appeared to have snatched a dramatic winner in the 86th.
Chelsea, however, salvaged a point deep into stoppage time through an own goal, scored by JDT centreback Antonio Glauder.
