India Bows Out of Merdeka Cup After 4-2 Defeat to Malaysia

Sayak Banerjee | 13 Oct 2023

The Blue Tigers’ campaign in the Merdeka Cup came to a disappointing end as India fell to a 4-2 loss against hosts Malaysia in the semifinal on Wednesday. Despite spirited performances from Mahesh Naorem Singh and captain Sunil Chhetri, their efforts weren’t enough to secure a victory.

Malaysia took control early, exposing weaknesses in India’s defense and quickly building a lead. Mahesh Naorem pulled one back with a stunning strike, and Chhetri’s composed finish kept India in contention. However, the second half brought controversy when a legitimate goal by Lallianzuala Chhangte was disallowed by the referee, sparking widespread debate among fans and pundits alike.

Coach Igor Štimac expressed frustration over the decision but commended his team’s effort. “The disallowed goal was a turning point. We played with heart, but such decisions can shift momentum,” he said.

Malaysia capitalized on their home advantage, adding two more goals to seal their spot in the final. For India, the focus now shifts to upcoming international fixtures as they regroup from this setback. Fans will hope the team takes valuable lessons from this tournament to strengthen their performances moving forward.