Merdeka Cup 2023 football: India knocked out after 4-2 loss to Malaysia

The Indian men's football team crashed out of the Merdeka Cup 2023 after losing to hosts Malaysia 4-2 in the semi-finals on Friday.

Playing in front of a packed Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia got their goals through Dion Cools (7’), Arif Aiman (20’ P), Faisal Halim (42’) and La'Vere Corbin-Ong (61’) while India hit the net through Naorem Mahesh Singh (13’) and Sunil Chhetri (51’).

India, 102nd in the FIFA football rankings, made a brisk start and nearly went ahead in the opening five minutes. However, Sahal Abdul Samad’s powerful volley struck the crossbar and it was world No. 134 Malaysia who opened the scoring with Dion Cools in the seventh minute.

India responded quickly with a well-worked team goal. Lallianzuala Chhangte's cross from the right was flicked back by Sahal Abdul Samad to Naorem Mahesh Singh, who fired in the volley that proved too good for Malaysian goalkeeper Syihan Hazmi.

Malaysia were awarded a penalty in the 18th minute after India’s Nikhil Poojary pushed Darren Lok inside the box. Arif Aiman stepped up to take the spot kick and made it 2-1.

Both teams had their fair chances to add to the scoresheet but Malaysia found their third goal before half-time. Faisal Halim dispossessed the Indian defence and beat Gurpreet Singh Sandhu in a one-on-one situation.

India dominated with 55 percent of the possession in the first half but had fewer shots at goal.

The Indian football team came out all guns blazing in the second half. Sunil Chhetri capitalised on a square pass from Lallianzuala Chhangte and scored his 93rd international goal.

Lallianzuala Chhangte was once again in the thick of the action. His shot from a tight angle beat the Malaysian goalkeeper in the 56th minute. However, the goal was disallowed as the referee ruled the ball was cleared by a Malaysian defender and did not cross the goal line.

While India’s attacking game improved significantly in the second half, their defence still found it difficult to contain the likes of Faisal Halim, who assisted in Malaysia’s fourth goal. Faisal Halim’s precise pass found La'Vere Corbin-Ong at the centre of the box, who pulled off a neat finish to make it 4-2.

Lallianzuala Chhangte tried to pull one back a few minutes later but his strike hit the crossbar. India looked threatening every time they went on the attack. However, the scores remained the same at the final whistle.

Malaysia will now play Tajikistan in the final of the Merdeka Cup, also known as Pestabola Merdeka, on Tuesday. The Merdeka Cup is a friendly international football tournament played in Malaysia to celebrate the country’s Independence Day.

Meanwhile, India will prepare for next month's FIFA World Cup qualifiers. India will play Kuwait in an away game and take on Qatar in Bhubaneswar.