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Lebanon have withdrawn from the Merdeka Cup in the aftermath of the tournament’s draw that saw them pitted against Palestine in their first game.
The two neighbors are set to meet in the first match day of Asian World Cup qualifying set for November 16th, 2023. The Merdeka Cup had been organized months in advance and the two teams were then drawn in the first semifinal match set for October 13th.
There had been murmurs about withdrawing from the tournament commemorating Malaysian Independence Day following the World Cup Qualifying draw. Those voices grew louder last week and it is Lebanon who have decided they have more to lose from facing Palestine one month before a crucial World Cup qualifier.
Palestine will now face Tajikistan on October 13th. The Tajiks (110th) are ranked ten places below Lebanon in the FIFA ranking and are a spot below them in the AFC Ranking.
Palestine has never lost to Tajikistan. The teams have met four times between 2016 and 2018. With Palestine registering a win, a penalty shootout win, and two draws.
Palestine will face either hosts Malaysia or India in the final or third place games four days later depending on results.
