'We've been robbed' - Fans react to India's loss against Malaysia in Merdeka Cup

Many complained about poor quality of the pitch

In a thrilling semi-final match of the Merdeka Football Tournament held at the Bukit Jalil Stadium in Malaysia, fans from both sides witnessed an entertaining encounter that ended with Malaysia securing a 4-2 victory over India. The match sparked a frenzy of reactions on Twitter (X), with emotions ranging from disappointment to admiration.

In this article, we display how fans reacted on the controversial semi-final clash in Twitter (X).

Indian fans proud of team's performance

Despite the loss, many Indian fans expressed their pride in their team's performance. They lauded the Indian squad for displaying exceptional skills and fighting spirit throughout the game. It was clear that the players had given their all, earning respect and admiration from supporters.

https://twitter.com/Mahimna_Ortho/status/1712846654666424707?t=QFDACwZaxM1xUEKNel-Cqg&s=19

https://twitter.com/Swarup1705/status/1712847064118563326?t=EHbargbnOxvH6Xe5yK3D4Q&s=19

https://twitter.com/Sayaneb23/status/1712852060775890984?t=KxOTdreJWlXUpAz1xMsBRQ&s=19

https://twitter.com/Amit_kumarpaul/status/1712849892882977246?t=5_QATdCGQ2TcaG4exk0spQ&s=19

Controversial moments fuel discontent

However, the disappointment was palpable among Indian fans due to several factors. A major point of contention was the perceived poor quality of the pitch, which some fans felt affected the game's outcome. They criticized the field conditions, claiming that it hindered the Indian team's ability to perform at their best.

Another contentious issue was the referee's decision in the 52nd minute, where a goal was disallowed for India. Many fans strongly believed that the ball had crossed the goal line, and this decision left them aggrieved. Discussions around the use of technology in such scenarios also found their way into Twitter conversations.

https://twitter.com/FOOTBALL_HUB28/status/1712846550526017966?t=OiBFDfeWlR3YgVohRdpYng&s=19

https://twitter.com/humanitymanu/status/1712846775919563243?t=JuoOsB8QdDZOziAYA_TpIA&s=19

https://twitter.com/ManojCr74/status/1712846947537846521?t=LHV5RCjE-1-jHJhuQgSsZQ&s=19

https://twitter.com/SattyBAD/status/1712846950444536246?t=9cTLhx3qh9WnKEGTHp5oDg&s=19

Ranking discrepancy raises concerns

Another point of frustration for Indian fans was the noticeable ranking difference between the two teams. Malaysia, ranked 134th, was almost 35 spots below India in the FIFA rankings. The result was seen by some as an upset, and they couldn't hide their disappointment with the Indian team conceding four goals.

https://twitter.com/VaibhavPawar/status/1712847058007457918?t=px8byDsBkN9fKTqwVM_NQA&s=19

https://twitter.com/7negiashish/status/1712853617554636981?t=o0WgLNrooDxW-pJrSU_-cA&s=19

https://twitter.com/footyrushi/status/1712846527549567318?t=QdLWpBKAisKia-M1AMVKfQ&s=19

https://twitter.com/NSalakah67279/status/1712846591986671982?t=2jrnnFBLE-Hk-zRp-k-FHQ&s=19

https://twitter.com/Rasheedkhan_1/status/1712846604447654118?t=YPaH7wRsMTnQRK9ve8zy6A&s=19