JDT Hosts Chelsea as Garcia Reunites With Old Friend Alonso
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- JDT will host Chelsea at the 40,000-capacity Sultan Ibrahim Stadium on Sunday in what CEO Garcia calls "the biggest test we will face this season," ending the Blues' pre-season tour of Asia
- Luis Garcia and Xabi Alonso both signed for Liverpool on the same day in 2004 under Rafael Benitez, started together in the Champions League final win over AC Milan, and played together for Spain — yet Garcia says he hopes Alonso's Chelsea "ends up second to Liverpool next season"
- JDT is on a world record-equalling 108-game domestic unbeaten run stretching back to 2021 and reached the AFC Champions League quarter-finals last season on a $15m budget compared to opponents' $150m+ budgets
- JDT drew with Rangers and Elche and beat Cartagena in a Spanish training camp in Alicante, using facilities modeled on Real Madrid's White House training base with Spanish coaches throughout the backroom staff and academy
- JDT owner Crown Prince Ismail Tunku has overseen top-class stadium and training investments under a "the sky is never the limit" motto, with Garcia saying the club wants Malaysia to reach the World Cup someday
Why it matters: Crown Prince Ismail Tunku's investment in top-class facilities and a Spanish coaching philosophy faces its highest-profile showcase against Chelsea on Sunday, with JDT's $15m budget meeting Premier League opposition. The match tests whether JDT's 108-game unbeaten run and AFC Champions League quarter-final showing translate against elite European opposition in a 40,000-capacity home stadium.
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