Credit: Twitter
The All India Football Federation has announced India's squad for the Merdeka Cup 2023 in Malaysia. Forward Sunil Chhetri will be leading the Blue Tigers as several key players like Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Anwar Ali and more returned to the squad after missing the Asian Games 2023. The tournament is set to kick off on October 13 with India taking on Malaysia.
Also Read: Eden Hazard announces retirement from football at 32
But the schedule of the tournament saw a major alteration with the recent incidents in Gaza, Palestine withdrew from the tournament. Hence the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), on October 10, 2023, announced a change of fixtures for the Merdeka Tournament 2023.
The tournament will now include three teams - India, and Tajikistan and hosts Malaysia in a knock-out format. The Merdeka Cup will continue with its original schedule as India will play hosts Malaysia at the Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur on October 13. The winners are set to play Tajikistan in the final on October 17.
Check out the new schedule here:
October 13: Malaysia vs India, 6:30 PM IST
October 17: Malaysia/India vs Tajikistan, 6:30 PM IST
India's squad for Merdeka Cup 2023:
Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Vishal Kaith, Amrinder Singh
Defenders: Nikhil Poojary, Roshan Singh, Anwar Ali, Mehtab Singh, Lalchungnunga, Akash Mishra, Subhasish Bose, Sandesh Jhingan
Midfielders: Suresh Singh, Anirudh Thapa, Rohit Kumar, Sahal Abdul Samad, Brandon Fernandes, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Udanta Singh, Mahesh Singh Naorem, Liston Colaco, Nandhakumar Sekar
Forwards: Sunil Chhetri, Manvir Singh
