India vs Malaysia: Blue Tigers Look to Surprise Hosts in Merdeka Cup Opener

In the inaugural game here on Friday, a confident India, captained by Sunil Chhetri, will try to surprise the in-form hosts Malaysia in an attempt to win the Merdeka Cup football competition for the first time.

The Merdeka Cup, dubbed the "mini Asia Cup," is returning after a ten-year break. Only three teams—Tajikistan being the third—will compete as conflict-torn Palestine withdrew from the competition at the eleventh hour.

On October 17, the winners of the match between Malaysia and India will play Tajikistan.

The Igor Stimac-coached team will have their work cut out for them when they play Malaysia on Friday, even though they last competed in the Asian Games and lost in the round of 16.

Malaysia has shown remarkable form thus far this year, winning six of their nine games, drawing two, and losing one.

Prior to their match against Malaysia in the knockout stages, India's coach, Stimac, stated that his team is ready for the task.

"We are aware of the recent successes Malaysia has enjoyed. They have some fantastic homegrown players and a terrific coach, and the naturalized players provide them with good support. Thus, the team is really stable right now, according to a remark from Stimac in an AIFF press release.

Although the 87,000 spectators expected at Bukit Jalil Stadium in this city will give Malaysia the advantage coming into the match, the Indian coach acknowledged that his team will be prepared.

"I think Malaysia has an advantage in the opening game. We are here to pull a few pranks on them, of course, but they are on their home field and have had success here," Stimac added.

They possess a highly competitive and stable side that knows exactly what needs to be done on the field. Similar circumstances also face us, but since we have 87,000 followers and a poor record away from home, Malaysia has an advantage, according to Stimac.

India has participated in the Merdeka Cup seventeen times, however they have never taken home the title. But for the Indians, the competition may have only served as a warm-up for more difficult tasks to come.

In the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, India will play Kuwait and Qatar next month, and Stimac acknowledged that they will be watching these matches closely.

"We are aware of the tournament's significance and history, and we will exert every effort to win both games and raise the trophy for the first time, but we also need to be aware of the challenges that lie ahead," Stimac stated.

We have two crucial World Cup qualifiers in November, therefore it is crucial that we avoid suffering any injuries.

He remarked, "We have a very good chance to make it to Round III for the first time, and that is very important to us being in Pot 2 of the draw for the World Cup Qualifiers."

Anwar Ali, the defender, expressed his excitement for the assignment.

"Playing against a very good team should be exciting. However, we also believe in our players, so we'll give it everything we've got to win and go to the championship game, Anwar remarked.

India has finished second in the Merdeka Cup twice.

Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Press Time staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.