9 NOVEMBER – Perlawanan Akhir Pestabola Merdeka 1969
55 tahun lalu pada hari ini, Malaysia beraksi di perlawanan akhir Pestabola Merdeka 1969 di mana mereka bertemu negara jiran, Indonesia.
Pada peringkat kumpulan, Indonesia telah berjaya menewaskan Malaysia 3 – 1, yang membawa mereka ke tangga teratas Kumpulan A manakala Harimau Malaya menduduki tempat kedua.
Pestabola Merdeka, yang biasanya bertepatan dengan hari kebangsaan Malaysia pada 31 Ogos, telah ditunda ke Oktober-November akibat suasana politik negara pada masa itu. Apabila rusuhan 13 Mei tercetus selepas pilihan raya umum diadakan, perintah berkurung diumumkan dengan serta-merta untuk seluruh negara.
Namun, Tunku Abdul Rahman tetap berpegang pada kepercayaan beliau bahawa sukan boleh membangkitkan perpaduan negara. Beliau yakin peminat bola sepak Malaysia akan bersama untuk menyokong pasukan Harimau Malaya menentang pesaing antarabangsa mereka.
Ia merupakan keputusan berisiko untuk menetapkan tarikh baharu pada tahun yang sama, tetapi ia terbukti berjaya. Untuk edisi ini, FAM menjemput tujuh negara untuk bertanding iaitu Indonesia, Korea Selatan, Thailand, Burma, Singapura, Indonesia dan Australia Barat.
Sebelum edisi ini, Indonesia telah menjuarai Pestabola Merdeka sebanyak dua kali berturut-turut pada 1961 dan 1962. Pasukan Malaysia pula menghadapi tekanan yang tinggi sebagai juara bertahan.
Lebih daripada 40,000 penonton membanjiri stadium untuk menyaksikan perlawanan akhir Pestabola Merdeka 1969 dan mereka dipersembahkan dengan perlawanan yang mendebarkan. Indonesia menjaringkan gol pembukaan pada minit ke-2 namun kedua-dua pasukan terikat 2–2 apabila wisel separuh masa ditiup.
Pada separuh masa kedua, Indonesia berjaya memperoleh satu lagi gol dan akhirnya membawa pulang trofi Pestabola Merdeka 1969 setelah menewaskan tuan rumah 3-2. Gol Malaysia dijaringkan oleh kapten Abdullah Noordin dan Shaharuddin Abdullah.
Foto menunjukkan program kejohanan Pestabola Merdeka 1969 serta pasukan Malaysia bersama Tunku Abdul Rahman selepas perlawanan akhir.
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9 November 1969 – The Merdeka Tournament Finals
55 years ago on this day, Malaysia played in the final round of the 1969 Merdeka Tournament where they met neighbouring nation, Indonesia.
During the group stage, Indonesia had defeated Malaysia 3 – 1, which led them to the top of Group A while Harimau Malaya placed second.
The Merdeka Tournament, usually coinciding with Malaysia’s national day on August 31, was postponed to October-November due to the political state of the country at the time. As the May 13 riots broke out after general elections were held, a curfew was imposed stalling the nation.
Nevertheless, Tunku Abdul Rahman held on to his belief that sport is an instrument in evoking national unity. He was confident that Malaysian football fans would rally to support the Harimau Malaya team as they take on their foreign competitors.
It was a risky decision to fix new dates but it proved to be a success. Seven nations accepted the invitation to compete including Indonesia, South Korea, Thailand, Burma, Singapore, Indonesia and Western Australia.
Before this edition, Indonesia had won the trophy twice consecutively in 1961 and 1962. Pressure was high as Malaysia were defending champions.
A record-breaking 40,000+ spectators witnessed the 1969 Merdeka Tournament final and they were served a thrilling match. Indonesia scored the opening goal two minutes into the match but found themselves at an even 2-2 at half-time.
In the second half, Indonesia managed to secure one more goal, taking home the 1969 Merdeka Tournament title after defeating the hosts 3-2. Malaysia’s goals were scored by captain Abdullah Noordin and Shaharuddin Abdullah.
