Airmarine Cup 2019 not a replacement for Merdeka Tournament - FAM

PETALING JAYA, 25 Feb (Bernama) -- The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) have confirmed that the four-nation Airmarine Cup 2019, to be held at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil from March 20-23, is not meant to replace the prestigious Merdeka Tournament.

FAM deputy president Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mahadi said the inaugural Airmarine Cup was one way to increase the number of quality international matches for the national squad.

He said the Airmarine Cup would be a platform to provide the national team with a more competitive challenge as well as to gain more exposure and points to improve their world ranking.

“The Merdeka Tournament has its own sentimental value and the Airmarine Cup is not its replacement. We are hosting the Airmarine Cup to increase the number of matches for the national team and as a starting point to taking the team to a higher level,” he told a press conference for the Airmarine Cup here today.

He explained that FAM still wished to revive the Merdeka Tournament, though not anytime soon as most of the foreign teams could not commit to it due to their tight schedule.

“I really can’t see the Merdeka Tournament being held this year,” he said.

The Merdeka Tournament was introduced in 1957 and was last held in 2013.

Meanwhile, Mohd Yusoff said that Solomon Islands, ranked 143rd in the world, would replace New Zealand in the four-nation Airmarine Cup, which would also feature Oman and Singapore.

“New Zealand have a match on March 17 and can only arrive here a day before the tournament begins. If we postpone it, then it will affect our clubs. So, we had to find a new team.

“Solomon Islands are ranked higher than us, so we cannot underestimate them,” he said, adding that the Airmarine Cup would be played on a knockout format.

-- BERNAMA