Merdeka Football Festival 1968 was held in two venues in Merdeka Stadium, Kuala Lumpur and Perak Stadium, Ipoh, Perak. It was held on 9 - 25 August 1968. Participating countries that were involved in this tournament were Indonesia, Western Australia, South Korea, Japan B, Taiwan, Singapore, Burma, India, Thailand, South Vietnam, Hong Kong and Malaysia. In this tournament, Indonesia, Western Australia, South Korea, Japan B, Taiwan and Singapore were in Group A. Meanwhile, Burma, India, Thailand, South Vietnam, Hong Kong and Malaysia were in Group B.
Malaysia team under the coaching of Harell Hassel consists of Abdullah Noordin (captain), Ibrahim Mydin, Zulkifli Norbit, N.Thanabalan, Wong Fook Yong, Chow Chee Keong, Foo Fook Chuan, Sooh Toh Kim Poh, M.Chandran, Sardar Khan and Shaharuddin Abdullah. Along the road to the semi final, Malaysia equalized with Burma and Hong Kong (1-1). Malaysia also won against India (2-1), South Vietnam (4-0) and Thailand (4-1). In the semi final, Malaysia met Western Australia and won with 4-3 goals. It was miracle and astonishing as Western Australia (representing Australia) lost to Malaysia. This showed that Malaysia was not only a superpower in Asia football region, but it also covered Oceania football region at that time. In 1968, Australia was still part of Oceania football region before entering Asia Football Confederation in 2006. Malaysia has beaten the Oceania region football superpower that was Australia represented by Western Australia.
Malaysia team under the coaching of Harell Hassel consists of Abdullah Noordin (captain), Ibrahim Mydin, Zulkifli Norbit, N.Thanabalan, Wong Fook Yong, Chow Chee Keong, Foo Fook Chuan, Sooh Toh Kim Poh, M.Chandran, Sardar Khan and Shaharuddin Abdullah. Along the road to the semi final, Malaysia equalized with Burma and Hong Kong (1-1). Malaysia also won against India (2-1), South Vietnam (4-0) and Thailand (4-1). In the semi final, Malaysia met Western Australia and won with 4-3 goals. It was miracle and astonishing as Western Australia (representing Australia) lost to Malaysia. This showed that Malaysia was not only a superpower in Asia football region, but it also covered Oceania football region at that time. In 1968, Australia was still part of Oceania football region before entering Asia Football Confederation in 2006. Malaysia has beaten the Oceania region football superpower that was Australia represented by Western Australia.
Malaysia (left) vs Western Australia (right)
Sitting from left: Sardar Khan, Wong Fook Yong, Shaharuddin Abdullah, N.Thanabalan, Ibrahim Mydin and Zulkifli Norbit.
Standing from left: M.Chandran, Chow Chee Keong, Foo Fook Chuan, Sooh Toh Kim Poh and Abdullah Noordin.
Zulkifli Norbit scored a goal through Western Australia goalkeeper.
Malaysia entered the final stage and met Burma led by legendary Suk Bahadur, among the superpower in Asia football region. This final match was held in Merdeka Stadium, Kuala Lumpur. In this final match, Malaysia won against Burma with 3-0 scores. Zulkifli Norbit and N.Thanabalan both scored goals for Malaysia in the semi final match against Western Australia and final match against Burma. Overall both of them scored many goals for Malaysia in this tournament, N.Thanabalan 8 goals and Zulkifli Norbit 5 goals. Abdullah Noordin was the most succesfull captain for Malaysia in this unforgettable and memorable Merdeka Football Festival 1968 after Malaysia never won the Merdeka Football Festival for 7 years and last time won it on 1960.
Malaysian players received Merdeka Football Festival 1968 champion medal from Malaysia Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman. Malaysian players from front, Chow Chee Keong, Zulkifli Norbit, Wong Fook Yong and Sardar Khan.
Zulkifli Norbit received Merdeka Football Festival 1968 champion medal from Malaysia Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman.
Abdullah Noordin, Malaysia captain received the Merdeka Football Festival 1968 champion trophy from Malaysia Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman.
Malaysia captain, Abdullah Noordin lifting the Merdeka Football Festival champion trophy among the Malaysian boy scouts holding participating countries flags.
Malaysia match pennant for final Merdeka Football Festival 1968 match against Burma.
The Merdeka Football Festival 1968 official match book.
Malaysia team.
Burma team.
Champion medal of Merdeka Football Festival 1968 from front.
Champion medal of Merdeka Football Festival 1968 from back.
Merdeka Football Festival 1968 souvenir gift received by Malaysian player.
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