KUALA LUMPUR – Harimau Malaya will have their chance of redemption when they take on defending champions Tajikistan, Lebanon, and the Philippines in the 43rd Merdeka Tournament Festival this year.
The tournament is scheduled to take place at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium from September 2 to 10.
After falling short in the final last year to Tajikistan, the Kim Pan-gon-led Harimau Malaya will once again have the opportunity to win the invitational event.
Harimau Malaya is currently ranked 135th in the FIFA world rankings, while Tajikistan is ranked at 102. Lebanon and the Philippines are ranked 117 and 147, respectively.
This marks the first time the Merdeka tournament is held consecutively after a 16-year hiatus.
The last consecutive editions were held in 2006, 2007, and 2008, followed by a one-off event in 2013 and a return after a 10-year absence last year.
In a statement today, the Football Association of Malaysia said that it hopes for Harimau Malaya supporters to pack the stadium to embrace unity since the tournament is being held two days after Malaysia’s Independence Day on August 31. – July 1, 2024