KUALA LUMPUR: Thailand heaped misery on eight-man Malaysia with a 4-0 rout at the Dubai Cup International Under-23 tournament on Thursday.
After carving out a credible 1-1 draw against China on Monday, the national youth team lost their way with three players sent off against their regional rivals.
National youth coach Frank Bernhardt made just one change from the last match by bringing in winger Safawi Rashid for Syazwan Andik Ishak.
Woorawut Srimaka's Thailand claimed the lead through Sittichok Kannoo's 19th-minute penalty as Malaysia were reduced to nine men before half-time at the Theab Awana Stadium in Dubai.
Sasalak Haiprakhon and Phitiwat Sookjitthummakul made it 3-0 by the halfway point of the second half before another Malaysian player was sent off. Tanasith Siripala completed the scoring late on.
This is the second time German Bernhardt's side have lost to Thailand after a 2-1 defeat in the Nations Cup final in Malacca last year.
Malaysia will play their third match of the tournament against Singapore in Sunday.