Saying he was having a headache, national coach Tan Cheng Hoe did not attend the obligatory post-match interview after Malaysia lost 1-0 to Vietnam in a World Cup qualifier in Hanoi on Thursday.
According to Cheng Hoe, the headache built up while he was on the touchline, watching Malaysia struggle against the Asean champions.
The biggest question kicking around his head must be why Malaysia failed to play their game that evening.
Prior to going to Hanoi, the Malaysian team had appeared upbeat, indicating they could beat Vietnam following the 3-2 win over Indonesia and the narrow 2-1 loss to Middle East big guns the United Arab Emirates in last month’s World Cup qualifiers.
However, the ferocity of Harimau Malaya, which was manifested in their earlier games, was missing at the My Dinh Stadium.
Cheng Hoe was left scratching his head as the Malaysian team struggled to string together ball possession play.
“Overall, our performance was not like the previous two matches, the team were not really fired up.
“We didn't create enough chances to score, with not many balls going to the box. If you don't get the ball there, chances to win are very slim.
“The grass condition didn't allow us to have a good passing game. It was a bit longer but I can’t use that as an excuse,” said Cheng Hoe.
On Thursday, Malaysia started by looking to play their brand of attacking football while Vietnam relied on their now famed reactionary counter attacking game.
The pace and trickery of Vietnam's front trio of Nguyen Van Toan, Nguyen Cong Phuong and Nguyen Quang Hai kept the Malaysian defence under pressure. But yet Vietnam were restricted to only two clear cut chances in the whole match.
Malaysia also had their chances albeit from dead ball situations, one from La'Vere Corbin-Ong’s long throw and another when Shahrul Saad went close from a Safawi Rasid corner kick.
Pressing quickly as a pack, World No 99 Vietnam suffocated Malaysia's midfield and attack with their persistent pressure.
Malaysia, ranked World No 158, were also not helped by some dubious calls by the Iranian match officials.
“When we played against some of the top teams, we were able to keep the ball but against Vietnam, we were nervous and lacked a bit of confidence in keeping the ball.”
Cheng Hoe, 51, said the national players will now have to work doubly hard against Thailand and Indonesia in their home games at Bukit Jalil next month if they are to get back on track.
The Group G standings, after Thursday's round of matches, do not make good reading for Malaysia.
With UAE hammering Indonesia 5-0, it meant that Malaysia are now fourth in the group, three points behind the Arab team, and one behind both Thailand and Vietnam. Indonesia will take on Vietnam while Thailand face UAE on Tuesday. Malaysia have no fixture on the day.