Chelsea struggled to beat the Malaysian Selection at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil last night.
The English Premier League giants had to labour for 80 minutes before a controversial free-kick goal from Didier Drogba gave them a 1-0 win.
However, replays showed that the ball, which hit the post before bouncing off Malaysian goalkeeper Mohd Izham Tarmizi’s back, did not cross the line.
The Tigers then had a glorious opportunity to equalise in the 85th minute, but A. Thamil Arasu saved Chelsea’s blushes as he shot wide after being put through with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Last night’s unlucky loss provided some consolation for Malaysian football after the 4-0 and 6-3 thrashing by Arsenal and Liverpool respectively over the last 10 days.
The sour point of the match, watched by a near capacity crowd, was the constant booing of Yossi Benayoun – the first Israeli to play in Malaysia – in the first-half.
Chelsea’s much maligned striker Fernando Torres came close to opening the scoring as early as the third minute but muffed his attempt.
Midfielder Frank Lampard also missed a sitter in the 16th minute after defender S. Subra-maniam’s poor clearance fell into his path.
Wan Zack Haikal Wan Nor had the best chance to score for Malaysia in the first half.
He broke through in the 27th minute and had only Chelsea goalkeeper Henrique Hilario to beat but was flagged offside.
In the 42nd minute, Lampard had the best chance of the game after Salomon Kalou sliced open the Malaysian defence with a wonderful pass but the midfielder failed to connect with the ball.
On the stroke of half-time, Benayoun failed to silence the abuse from the crowd when he mis-kicked in front of goal.
Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas kept to his word and replaced his entire starting 11 at the break, bringing on captain John Terry, Drogba, Nicolas Anelka and Daniel Sturridge.
Yet it made little difference until Drogba’s late – and lucky – intervention.
Malaysian coach Ong Kim Swee was a happy man.
“We had no pressure to win the match and we did well despite the result,” said a jubilant Kim Swee.
“We would have to look at the goal scored by Drogba. It’s quite dubious but the linesman flagged it and we have to accept the result.
“The 0-0 scoreline in the first half gave the boys the impetus to do better after the breather. This match will serve as a good experience for my Under-23 boys before we play in the third round of the 2012 Olympics qualifier.”
Meanwhile, Villas-Boas admitted that his side should have scored more with the chances they created and praised Malaysia goalkeeper Farizal Marlias’ performance.
“The keeper did well to limit the number of goals and the Malaysian team had two good chances to equalise during the later part of the match,” said Villas-Boas.
Chelsea will move on to Thailand next before playing two matches in Hong Kong on their Asian tour.
The English Premier League giants had to labour for 80 minutes before a controversial free-kick goal from Didier Drogba gave them a 1-0 win.
However, replays showed that the ball, which hit the post before bouncing off Malaysian goalkeeper Mohd Izham Tarmizi’s back, did not cross the line.
The Tigers then had a glorious opportunity to equalise in the 85th minute, but A. Thamil Arasu saved Chelsea’s blushes as he shot wide after being put through with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Last night’s unlucky loss provided some consolation for Malaysian football after the 4-0 and 6-3 thrashing by Arsenal and Liverpool respectively over the last 10 days.
The sour point of the match, watched by a near capacity crowd, was the constant booing of Yossi Benayoun – the first Israeli to play in Malaysia – in the first-half.
Chelsea’s much maligned striker Fernando Torres came close to opening the scoring as early as the third minute but muffed his attempt.
Midfielder Frank Lampard also missed a sitter in the 16th minute after defender S. Subra-maniam’s poor clearance fell into his path.
Wan Zack Haikal Wan Nor had the best chance to score for Malaysia in the first half.
He broke through in the 27th minute and had only Chelsea goalkeeper Henrique Hilario to beat but was flagged offside.
In the 42nd minute, Lampard had the best chance of the game after Salomon Kalou sliced open the Malaysian defence with a wonderful pass but the midfielder failed to connect with the ball.
On the stroke of half-time, Benayoun failed to silence the abuse from the crowd when he mis-kicked in front of goal.
Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas kept to his word and replaced his entire starting 11 at the break, bringing on captain John Terry, Drogba, Nicolas Anelka and Daniel Sturridge.
Yet it made little difference until Drogba’s late – and lucky – intervention.
Malaysian coach Ong Kim Swee was a happy man.
“We had no pressure to win the match and we did well despite the result,” said a jubilant Kim Swee.
“We would have to look at the goal scored by Drogba. It’s quite dubious but the linesman flagged it and we have to accept the result.
“The 0-0 scoreline in the first half gave the boys the impetus to do better after the breather. This match will serve as a good experience for my Under-23 boys before we play in the third round of the 2012 Olympics qualifier.”
Meanwhile, Villas-Boas admitted that his side should have scored more with the chances they created and praised Malaysia goalkeeper Farizal Marlias’ performance.
“The keeper did well to limit the number of goals and the Malaysian team had two good chances to equalise during the later part of the match,” said Villas-Boas.
Chelsea will move on to Thailand next before playing two matches in Hong Kong on their Asian tour.
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