KUALA LUMPUR – Former national team captain Zainal Abidin Hassan drew comparisons between the Pestabola Merdeka and the FIFA World Cup, saying that in the past, the best teams used to participate in the Merdeka tournament.
The versatile footballer, who played as both a striker and a centre back during his playing days, expressed his hope that the Merdeka tournament would regain its status as one of the most intense competitions in Asia.
“The Merdeka tournament used to be like the World Cup of Asia. Other countries would send their best teams to compete in the tournament.
“I received my first national call-up in 1980 to play in the Merdeka tournament, and I always felt a sense of pride when wearing the national team jersey and representing Malaysia.
“I’m excited about the revival of this tournament, and I hope the Merdeka tournament will reestablish itself as one of the best competitions in Asia,” said Zainal, who won 116 caps and scored 50 goals for Malaysia.
At the same time, former national team striker Dollah Salleh, who scored a total of 115 goals during his career with Selangor and Pahang, singled out the 1986 Merdeka tournament as the most memorable for the national team.
“I believe we had the best team in 1986. We performed admirably, defeating Japan 2-1, and in the final, we triumphed over Czechoslovakia 3-0 to win the title,” said Dollah, who earned 81 caps and scored 33 goals at the national level.
“The tournament was highly regarded in the past, and many teams aspired to participate in it,” added Dollah.
Meanwhile, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) aims to restore Asia’s oldest friendly tournament to its former glory, committing to making it an annual event.
FAM’s deputy president, Datuk S. Sivasundaram, emphasised the historical significance of the Merdeka tournament and the need to preserve and celebrate this aspect of Malaysia’s football heritage.
“The Merdeka tournament has a rich history dating back to 1957 when Malaysia gained independence.
“The tournament has witnessed the emergence of legendary players and memorable matches. I still remember the days when I used to watch the Merdeka tournament at the stadium when I was a kid and a teenager.
“This tournament holds many fond memories for all football enthusiasts in our country, and we, at FAM, believe it is crucial to honour this legacy, with the hope of continuing this tradition on a yearly basis,” said Sivasundram during the launch of the Merdeka Tournament at AEON Big in Wangsa Maju, earlier today.
Sivasundram explained that the packed schedule of the national team and the Malaysian league calendar had led to the tournament’s ten-year hiatus.
“The last tournament was held in Kuantan in 2013 at the Darul Makmur stadium, and we needed time to find the right moment to reintroduce this tournament due to the tight schedule of our Malaysian league and the national team.
“We have finally found a suitable date that aligns with the FIFA international match calendar, and we have invited three teams to participate in this edition.
“I encourage all Harimau Malaya fans to come to the Bukit Jalil stadium and relive the nostalgia as we aim to make this tournament relevant among local football fans.”
FAM also announced its latest collaboration with AEON Big (M) Sdn Bhd for the Merdeka tournament. – August 31, 2023