KUALA LUMPUR — After a decade-long absence, the Pestabola Merdeka tournament is making a comeback this year as part of the FA of Malaysia’s (FAM) 90th anniversary celebrations.
Malaysian football legends are thrilled and filled with joy as they witness the revival of this prestigious tournament, which brings back a flood of memories from their playing days.
Former national footballer, Datuk Dell Akbar Khan, said the Merdeka tournament was one of the most glamorous competitions in Asia that attracted top teams from around the world.
“In the 60s and 70s, we were excited and proud to represent Malaysia whenever we received a call-up. The pride of playing for our beloved nation was indescribable.
“We always fought hard for our team and even defeated some of the top footballing teams in Asia, like Burma (Myanmar) when they were at their prime.
“I will never forget the day we won 3-0 against them in front of 20,000 fans at Stadium Merdeka.
“The revival of the tournament is a positive move by the FAM, and it provides a great opportunity for the current Malaysian squad to showcase their strength against higher-ranked teams as good preparation for the upcoming AFC Cup Championship,” said the former right-back player, who played for the national team from 1968 to 1973.
The 75-year-old also suggested that FAM should continue this initiative and make the competition a regular event.
“It was a good move by FAM, but it would be even better if the competition could attract bigger teams in the Asian region, such as South Korea, Japan, China, and Uzbekistan.
“Having only four teams will not make the tournament competitive enough. The format should be revised to feature eight to ten teams battling for the title.
“I hope FAM continues this initiative,” the former Kuala Lumpur police chief added.
At the same time, former defender Datuk Santokh Singh, who played a significant role in Malaysia’s qualification for the 1980 Moscow Olympics, shared a similar sentiment, saying that the tournament brings back nostalgic memories.
“Of course, Pestabola Merdeka was the main competition we always looked forward to throughout the years.
“My favourite memory of the tournament is when people from all races in Malaysia would cheer and support our team. It’s a true testament to the unity and passion that football can bring.
“The cheers from the fans make a player like myself, the late Datuk Arumugam and Datuk Soh Chin Ann gave their hearts and souls for Malaysia whenever we stepped on the pitch,” said Santokh, who won 119 caps and scored 7 goals for the national team.
The former Selangor player also urged local football fans to remain calm and trust national head coach Kim Pan-gon’s process in improving Malaysia’s football landscape.
“In my opinion, Pan-gon is doing a great job. I like the way the team functions under his management.
“I’m a fan of his tactics, and it’s great to see him placing emphasis on fitness and players being aware of what to do next when they lose possession,” said Santokh.
The iconic Merdeka Tournament, which began in 1957, has attracted renowned footballers, including Datuk Mokhtar Dahari, Soh Chin Ann, Ghani Minhat, South Korea’s Kim Jae-han, Cha Bum-kun, and Lee Woon-jae, Japan’s Kunishige Kamamoto and Yasuhiko Okudera, Indonesia’s Abdul Kadir, Iraq’s Hussein Saeed Mohammed, and Ghana’s Abedi Ayew.
Entering its 42nd edition, the tournament has drawn the likes of South Korea, Buenos Aires XI, Hamburger SV, Hong Kong League XI, New Zealand, Sao Paulo XI, Ghana, and Algeria.
This year, the Pestabola Merdeka will involve teams such as Palestine, India, and Tajikistan, and the tournament is set to take place on October 13-17 at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium. — August 31, 2023