Chelsea head off to a rocky start at their pre-season asia tour in Bukit Jalil National Stadium last night.
The premier league giants struggle and scraped to one nil victory against the Malaysian under-23 Olympic team. Even to sole goal scored by ivory coast striker Didier Drogba seemed doubtful as a result from a controversial free-kick at the 80th minute. The same,however, could not be said of the Malaysian side. The Tigers gave a glorious performance but failed to convert a couple of good chances into goals that they deserve. The Tigers had the opportunity to equalise at the 85th minute but striker A.Thamil Arasu manage to keep Chelsea's pride intact as he shot wide after being one-on-one with the keeper. The most dissapointing note of the evening came in the form of constant "boo's" by the crowd directed at Yossi Benayoun, the first Israeli to play in Malaysia in the first-half.
Chelsea's forward Fernando Torres nearly scored at the 3rd minute of the game while midfielder Frank Lampard missed a sitter in the 16th minute after S.Subramaniam's poor clearance.
The best chance for Malaysia to score in the first-half came from Wan Zack Haikal Wan Nor during the 27th minute with only Henrique Hilario to beat but was deemed offside. In the 42nd minute, Lampard had a beautiful oppoturnity as Kalou broke the Malaysian team's defence deadlock but the midfielder failed to convert the goal as he failed to reach the ball.
Benayoun encouraged the abuse from the crowd when he miskicked in front of the goal.
The starting 11 was replaced by Andres Villa Boas at half time allowing the likes of John Terry, Drogba, Nichola Anelka and Daniel Sturridge. However, it made no difference to Chelsea besides the controversial goal from Drogba.
Chelsea will be playing against Thailand and 2 more matches in Hong Kong before wrapping up their Asia Tour.
Look out for photos soon! (technical glitch is preventing me from uploading them)
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