Life after Pan Gon era: Malaysia to face Philippines in Merdeka Cup semis
Vicente era begins with Philippines clash
PETALING JAYA - Malaysia have been drawn to meet the Philippines in the semi-finals of the 2024 Merdeka Tournament at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Sept 4 (9 pm).
The draw at Wisma FAM (Football Association of Malaysia) here today also pitted defending champions Tajikistan against Lebanon in the other semi-final scheduled to be held at the same venue later that day (Sept 4).
The match against the Philippines will be the first task for Spaniard Pau Marti Vicente after being appointed as the Harimau Malaya interim coach following the sudden and shocking resignation of former coach Kim Pan Gon last month.
Vicente assisted Pan Gon since 2022.
In June, under the guidance of Pan Gon, Malaysia failed to advance to the third round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers or earn early qualification to the 2027 Asian Cup Finals despite performing well in the qualifying campaign.
As a result, Malaysia must play in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifying round next year in an attempt to make a second consecutive appearance in the competition, having featured in the 2024 edition in Doha, Qatar earlier this year.
Meanwhile, 2024 Merdeka Tournament Local Organising Committee chairman Mohd Firdaus Mohamed, who is also the FAM vice-president, said the target for Harimau Malaya is to emerge as champions.
"Surely this time we are targeting them to become champions, just like last year. This means there is no excuse for us not to be champions this time,” he told a media conference after the draw ceremony here.
In the 2023 edition, Malaysia defeated India 4-2 in the semi-finals but emerged runners-up after losing 2-0 to Tajikistan in the final.
This is the first time that the Merdeka Tournament is being held consecutively after 16 years, with the last consecutive tournaments being in 2006, 2007 and 2008.
Malaysia have won the Merdeka Tournament 12 times, with the most recent victory in the 2013 edition.
For the record, Malaysia are currently ranked 134 in the world, the Philippines (147), Lebanon (116) and Tajikistan (103). - BERNAMA
