Indian Men’s Football Team to Face Malaysia in 2023 Merdeka Tournament Semifinals
The Indian men’s football team is set to face Malaysia in the semifinals of the 2023 Merdeka Tournament. The tournament, scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur from October 13-17, 2023, will also feature Lebanon and Palestine.
India’s participation in the competition was confirmed in March as part of their preparations for the AFC Asian Cup. The Blue Tigers, led by coach Igor Stimac, will take on hosts Malaysia in the semifinals on October 13. If India successfully defeats Malaysia, they will face the winners of the clash between Lebanon and Palestine in the final on October 17. However, if India suffers a defeat in the semifinals, they will compete in the third/fourth playoff on the same day.
In terms of ranking, India is the second-highest-ranked team in the tournament, just behind Palestine (96) and ahead of Lebanon (100). Malaysia, on the other hand, is the lowest-ranked team in the competition, with a FIFA ranking of 136.
This meeting with Malaysia will be India’s record 32nd encounter with the country in international matches. Their last encounter was in a friendly match in Kolkata in 2011, where the Blue Tigers emerged victorious with a 3-2 scoreline.
The 2023 Merdeka Tournament will mark India’s first appearance in the competition since 2001 and their 18th overall. India’s best performance in the tournament was as runners-up in 1959 and 1964.
The draw results for the Merdeka Tournament 2023 are as follows: Palestine vs Lebanon on October 13, Malaysia vs India on October 13, third-place play-off on October 17, and the final on the same day.
Overall, this tournament provides an excellent opportunity for the Indian men’s football team to showcase their skills and performance as they prepare for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup. The fans eagerly await the matches against Malaysia and hope for a successful campaign in this prestigious tournament.
