India vs Malaysia Results and Highlights: Merdeka Cup 2023. Malaysia took on India in the semi-finals of the Merdeka Cup 2023 on 13 October 2023 at the National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur. India faced a shock loss to a lower-ranked Malaysia in the game. Although India was the favorite for the match considering a superior ranking and recent form Malaysia showed that only your performance on the field can determine the outcome of a match.
India was participating in this regional tournament after a gap of 22 years and expectations were quite high for the Indian team to go all the way. However, Malaysia displayed a clinical effort to win the game 4-2.
India vs Malaysia Results: Merdeka Cup 2023
The atmosphere at the Bukit Julil Stadium was electrifying with a jam-packed crowd to support the home team. India started the game with a bang and almost scored when Rohit hit the woodwork in the second minute. India meant business right from the word go. However, out of the blue Malaysia opened the scoring with Doinjonan calmly tapping the ball into the net.
There was pressure on India to strike back and equalise and India equalized in the 14th minute when Mahesh ran into the box to gather the cross from Chhangte and score a perfect equalizer. However, India’s joy was short-lived as Malaysia struck twice to take the score 3-1 into halftime.
India came out with an aggressive intent in the second half. It reaped immediate dividends as Chhetri reduced the deficit with a sweet strike. India was very unlucky to a have goal disallowed in the 57th minute when Chhangte’s effort was. The referee thought that the ball didn’t cross the line although replays showed otherwise. This horrendous decision was a big blow to India’s morale and Malaysia took complete advantage by scoring another goal and effectively burying the match.
Also Read: Updated Merdeka Cup 2023 Schedule & Format: India Is Set to Face Malaysia on October 13
Match Scoreline
Malaysia 4-2 India
Dion Cools 7’ Mahesh Singh 13’
Arif Hanapi 20’ (P) Sunil Chhetri 51’
Faisal Halim 42’
Corbin Ong 61’
Malaysia vs India Highlights
2’ Rohit rattles the post with a thunderous strike from outside the box. India was very close early on.
7’ Malaysia strikes with a calm finish from Dion Cools
13’ India equalizes courtesy of Mahesh’s finish from inside the box. He receives the ball Chhangte and puts it into the net.
19’ Penalty for Malaysia. Arif Armin steps ahead to take the penalty. He scores from the spot to re-establish Malaysia’s lead.
30’ Miss from Arif. Malaysian forward misses a sitter and Malaysia gives away the chance to have decisive control over the game.
42’Faisal doubles it for Malaysia. A sweet strike to give a two-goal lead.
Half-Time Malaysia 3-1 India
51’ Chhetri scores for India and reduces the deficit.
57’ Chhangte is so unlucky to have a goal disallowed even when the replays clearly show the ball past the goal line.
61’ Corbin scores from close range and it is all over for India now.
Full Time:
Malaysia 4-2 India
