The dates of the Merdeka Tournament 2023 have been changed due to the Palestinian withdrawal at the last minute. The tournament will be played in a knockout format between three teams: India, Tajikistan and host country Malaysia.
As originally scheduled, India will face hosts Malaysia on October 13 at Kuala Lumpur’s 90,000-seater Bukit Jalil Stadium, with the winner facing Tajikistan in the final on October 17. .
“The change in format was agreed this morning at a special meeting between FAM, the organizers of the 2023 Independence Cup (Merdeka), and the management of the Indian and Tajik teams, taking into account post-match time constraints. “The best solution is for the Palestinian team to withdraw,” the Malaysian Football Association said in a statement on Tuesday.
The Blue Tigers arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, October 9th.
Excitement was evident on everyone’s faces as the players set their sights on what is expected to be a thrilling encounter in front of a partisan crowd at Bukit Jalil. Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu is one who experienced that atmosphere in Malaysia, having represented East Bengal in the AFC Cup match against Selangor FA in 2013 and is keen to play.
“I have played here once before and I still remember how the stadium was really lively. I think there are a lot of Indians here too and some of those fans were like me “It’s good to see them supporting us,” he said. “I would like to ask all the Indian fans in Kuala Lumpur to come and support us.”
New schedule:
October 13: Malaysia vs India, 6:30pm (IST)
October 17: Malaysia/India vs Tajikistan, 6:30pm (IST)
Original schedule:
October 13, Semi-Final 1: Palestine vs Tajikistan, 2pm (IST)
October 13, Semi-final 2: Malaysia vs India, 6:30pm (IST)
October 17th 3rd place match: SF1 loser vs SF2 loser 2pm
Oct. 17, Final: SF1 winner vs. SF2 winner, 6:30 p.m.
Merdeka Cup 2023 Live Streaming: AIFF is yet to announce its television and live streaming partners for Merdeka Cup 2023.
Prediction of Indian team members who will participate in Merdeka Cup 2023
Goalkeeper: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Amrinder Singh, Vishal Kais, Dheeraj Singh
Defender: Nikhil Poojary, Roshan Singh, Sandesh Jhingan, Anwar Ali, Mehtab Singh, Lalchununga, Akash Mishra, Subhashish Bose
Midfielder: Jexon Singh, Suresh Singh, Anirudh Thapa, Rohit Kumar, Sahar Abdul Samad, Brandon Fernandes, Lalianzuala Chhante, Udanta Singh, Vikram Pratap Singh, Mahesh Singh Naorem, Liston Colaco, Nandakumar Sekhar
forward: Sunil Chhetri and Manvir Singh
Head coach: Igor Stimac
