Changes Unveiled in the Merdeka Cup Schedule
In an exclusive update by Insidesport.IN, it has been revealed that the schedule for the Merdeka Cup 2023, a prestigious football tournament, has been revised. This change comes in the wake of Palestine’s sudden withdrawal from the competition due to the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict. In this article, we’ll delve into the modified schedule, the reasons behind Palestine’s exit, and India’s journey to secure a spot in the finals.
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The Revised Schedule
The Merdeka Cup 2023 was originally set to feature four teams, including Palestine, Tajikistan, Lebanon, and India. However, with Palestine pulling out, the tournament now comprises only three teams: India, Tajikistan, and hosts Malaysia. Let’s take a closer look at the revised schedule:
October 13: India vs. Malaysia
The Indian Football Team is all set to kick off their Merdeka Cup campaign against Malaysia on October 13. This match will take place as originally scheduled, and it’s a crucial opportunity for India to assert their dominance on the field.
October 17: Tajikistan vs. Malaysia/India
Following the India vs. Malaysia match, the winners will advance to the final on October 17, where they will face Tajikistan in what promises to be an exciting showdown.
Palestine’s Withdrawal and the Israel-Palestine Conflict
The sudden withdrawal of the Palestine Football Team from the Merdeka Cup 2023 can be attributed to the escalating Israel-Palestine war situation. The closure of all border crossings and Lod Airport has made travel exceedingly difficult, forcing the Palestine Football Association to announce the cancellation of their matches for the week.
Hamas-led Palestinian resistance organizations initiated a full-scale military invasion into various communities, including settlements along the Israel-Gaza border, further exacerbating the conflict.
A Look at the Teams
Before Palestine’s withdrawal, the Merdeka Cup 2023 featured four teams, with Palestine as the top seed, ranked 96th in the current FIFA football rankings. India held the 102nd spot, followed by Tajikistan at 110th and Malaysia at 136th.
A Historical Perspective
The Merdeka Cup, also known as Pestabola Merdeka, originated in 1957 as an international friendly football competition to commemorate Malaysia’s independence day. This tournament, which last took place in 2013, is making a remarkable comeback after a ten-year hiatus.
India’s Probable Squad for Merdeka Cup 2023
Let’s take a quick look at the 26-member probable list for the Indian team participating in the Merdeka Cup 2023:
Goalkeepers
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu
Amrinder Singh
Vishal Kaith
Dheeraj Singh
Defenders
Nikhil Poojary
Roshan Singh
Sandesh Jhingan
Anwar Ali
Mehtab Singh
Lalchungnunga
Akash Mishra
Subhasish Bose
Midfielders
Jeakson Singh
Suresh Singh
Anirudh Thapa
Rohit Kumar
Sahal Abdul Samad
Brandon Fernandes
Lallianzuala Chhangte
Udanta Singh
Vikram Pratap Singh
Mahesh Singh Naorem
Liston Colaco
Nandhakumar Sekar
Forwards
Sunil Chhetri
Manvir Singh
The Format Change
With the withdrawal of Palestine, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) announced a change in the format of the Merdeka Tournament 2023. It will now be conducted in a knockout format with three teams – India, Tajikistan, and Malaysia.
India’s journey in the tournament begins with a match against hosts Malaysia on October 13 at the Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur. The winners of this clash will advance to face Tajikistan in the final on October 17.
In a statement, the Football Association of Malaysia explained that this format change was the result of discussions with the Indian and Tajikistan teams, taking into account the time constraints caused by Palestine’s withdrawal.
Anticipation and Preparation
The Indian Football Team arrived in Kuala Lumpur on October 9 and was greeted by typical southeast Asian rain. The players, filled with excitement, are gearing up for what promises to be a thrilling tournament. Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, who has experienced the passionate atmosphere in Malaysia before, is looking forward to Indian fans’ support.
Defender Subhasish Bose believes that matches against Malaysia and Tajikistan, both well-prepared teams, will serve as valuable preparation for bigger events like the World Cup Qualifiers and the AFC Asian Cup.
Final Thoughts
The Merdeka Cup 2023 has witnessed significant changes due to Palestine’s withdrawal, but it still promises exciting football action. India, Tajikistan, and Malaysia will battle it out on the field for glory, and fans eagerly await the thrilling matches that lie ahead. Stay tuned for updates on this highly anticipated football tournament.
