Shah Alam to host Merdeka Tournament

PETALING JAYA: The Merdeka football tournament will make a return this year after a five-year lapse. And for the first time it will not be held at the Merdeka Stadium. 

Instead, the tournament will be held at the Shah Alam Stadium from Aug 23-29. 

The Merdeka Stadium is being refurbished and will not be ready in time. It will, however, host next year's tournament. 

This year, only four teams are taking part – Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar and hosts Malaysia. 

Datuk Seri Dr. Ibrahim Saad, the general secretary of the FA of Malaysia (FAM) said yesterday: “The reason why we chose to organise the Merdeka Tournament is to give teams who will host the Asian Cup 2007 – Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Myanmar – the chance to play matches since they will not be playing in the qualifiers. 

“Vietnam could not participate because their local league is still on-going. 

The winner of the tournament will receive a cash prize of US$10,000 while the runners-up will walk away with US$5,000. 

The last time the tournament was held in 2001, Uzbekistan emerged as champions.  

The tournament then featured Malaysia, the Under-23 national team, Under-23 Thailand team, Bosnia-Herzegovina, India, Slovakia and Bahrain.