BURIRAM: Malaysia will end 2017 without a victory to show for the first time since 2006 after they were hammered 4-1 by North Korea in an Asian Cup qualifier Group B match at the I-Mobile Stadium on Monday.
With the defeat, Malaysia is out of the running for a spot in the 2019 Asian Cup Finals in the United Arab Emirates.
They are at the bottom of Group B with only one point with one match left against Lebanon in March.
Vingada’s side completed eight international matches this year with a record of two draws and six defeats.
The Portuguese coach, unexpectedly, left out all Johor Darul Ta’zim’s players from his starting line-up, but the move turned out to be disastrous as North Korea took a commanding 3-0 lead at half-time.
Kim Yu Song was the toast of the North Korean team with a hat-trick in the 15th, 20th and 44th minutes.
In the second half, Safiq Rahim replaced Ahmad Khairil Anuar Zamri and the midfielder added more depth into Malaysia’s game.
However, Pak Kwang Ryong extended North Korea’s lead in the 79th minute before substitute Safawi Rasid reduced the deficit for Malaysia in the 85th minute.