Merdeka Cup 2023: Malaysia vs India Live Updates

6:00 PM: Hello everyone and welcome to Khel Now’s LIVE COVERAGE of the Malaysia vs India match in the Merdeka Cup 2023. The kick-off is just 30 minutes away! I am your host Aishwarya Chakraborty and will keep you company through what promises a fascinating evening of football. Please wait for 30 Seconds for the Live blog to load.

Merdeka Cup: Malaysia vs India - Build-up

India have a date with history in this October FIFA window.

When the Blue Tigers take the pitch at the 90,000-strong Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur to play the Merdeka Cup semi-final against hosts Malaysia on Friday, memories will come rushing back for the old timers. For the new generation, a fresh page will be opened in Indian football almanac.

Merdeka is no ordinary tournament for India. Malaysia are no ordinary opponents either. Both have huge significance in the history of the Senior Indian Men’s team, who played their first match 75 years ago.

Records say India, since 1959, have participated in the Merdeka Cup 17 times, which is more than in any other international tournament India figured in since 1947. At the international arena, India have played Malaysia 31 times, which is more than any other opponents India have played against.

https://youtu.be/JlsjqnfOEio?si=vLKqafTMOPU9GbVu

No wonder, it prompted Blue Tigers Head Coach Igor Stimac to share his thoughts on why Merdeka is special to India. “We’ve played the Merdeka 17 times and ended runners-up on two occasions in the past. So, I definitely see a chance there. The first game will be a very difficult one for us against Malaysia.

“It will be a good match experience for us, as they have been playing well in recent times and have gotten draws against two higher-ranked opponents, China and Syria at home. I think we can safely say that they are an emotional side who are highly energised by their fans.

“I discussed with my captain Sunil (Chhetri) about the Merdeka, and he told me, boss, I can’t wait. There will be a huge crowd and I expect an exciting game. We want to win and progress to the final, and make sure that our boys leave it all out on the pitch,” he said.