Merdeka Cup: Four talking points from India's loss to Malaysia

Naorem Mahesh Singh was the only bright spot in India's performance.

The Indian men’s football team were handed a shambolic 4-2 defeat at the Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur by hosts Malaysia in the semi-final of the Merdeka Cup 2023. The host nation began strong and took an early lead before India equalised in style.

The Harimau Malaya then went on to score two more in the first half before India scored their second goal and had a legal equaliser disallowed. Things went from bad to worse as Malaysia netted their fourth and booked a spot in the final.

On that note, let us take a look at the talking points from the game.

4. Genuine goal disallowed

In the 56th minute of the game, India saw Lallianzuala Chhangte's genuine goal disallowed. The winger had slotted the ball home, after it got a touch from the woodwork and the Malaysia goalie. As soon as the ball crossed the line, defender Dion Cools had cleared it away.

https://twitter.com/robin_singh_23/status/1712842808544149726?s=20

Chhangte had started celebrating, but the linesman unfortunately failed to spot the position of the ball and thus, India lost a golden chance to equalise and restore parity in the game.

3. India’s poor away form continues

The Blue Tigers have had a year to remember on their home soil and a year to forget away from home. Igor Stimac’s side has been really below the standards in the away games and it wasn’t any different in today’s fixture.

India have now lost three of their away games in 2023. The Blue Tigers just can’t get going away from home and that has cost them big time. If the same continues, India’s hope for a good World Cup Qualifiers and AFC Asian Cup campaign looks dim.

2. Defensive woes cost India the game

Once again, defensive errors cost India the game. India’s defenders had a nightmare on the pitch as the Malaysians were too good to handle for them. Sandesh Jhingan made an error which led to Malaysia’s opening goal early in the game.

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

Mehtab Singh’s mistake helped the hosts score their third goal while Akash Mishra had a night to forget. He just couldn’t cope up with the intensity of the Malaysian winger Faisal Halim which resulted in India conceding goals. Nikhil Poojary too, had a tough night as he was taken to the cleaners by the home side.

1. Naorem Mahesh Singh continues to impress

Despite a night to forget in Kuala Lumpur, India’s brightest star was Naorem Mahesh SIngh. The youngster was the only positive for Igor Stimac’s side in what was nothing short of a horror film for India. 

He scored a wonderful left-footed equaliser early in the first half before assisting Sunil Chhetri in the second half. Mahesh created a beautiful chance for Lallianzuala Chhangte late in the game, but the latter couldn’t saw his shot kiss the crossbar. All in all, Mahesh put in a good shift for India tonight.