KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's pre-World Cup campaign came to a premature end this morning after the national football team were beaten 2-1 by Vietnam at the Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai.
Though Malaysia still have one remaining group match, against Thailand on June 15, it no longer has any bearing, as far as World Cup qualification is concerned.
Harimau Malaya languish at fourth place in Group G while Vietnam remain in pole position. The United Arab Emirates (UAE), who thrashed Indonesia 5-0 this morning, are second. Both Vietnam and UAE are expected to advance to the third round of the qualifiers.
The day had started sadly for coach Tan Cheng Hoe when he was informed eight hours before the match that his father, Tan Chooi Siak, had died in Alor Star at the age of 95.
Though Malaysia lost the match, the team put up a much better fight, compared to last week's 4-0 capitulation to UAE.
The scoreline showed World No 153 Malaysia losing by the odd goal to Vietnam, who are 61 rungs better.
The Malaysians also lost by a solitary goal in the first round of the qualifiers in Hanoi in 2019.
The sad story for Malaysia is that the Vietnamese, who must be the best in Southeast Asia, always do just enough to beat us.
Even though Malaysia rounded up a Brazilian, a Kosovar, a Gambian and some heritage players this time for some kind of "operation desert storm", it failed to blow Vietnam away. The Golden Dragons again did just enough. One goal extra for three points.
Harimau Malaya went into the match as the underdogs, but for much of the match, Vietnam who routed Indonesia 4-0 on Tuesday, only seemed a shade better.
But once the Golden Dragons drew blood through a Nguyen Tien Linh header in the 27th minute, Malaysia were left with a mountain to climb, for even a draw was not good enough to keep their qualifying hopes alive.
The naturalised Brazilian, Guilherme de Paula, lampooned by netizens for his lacklustre performance against UAE, put up a better show against Vietnam.
The 34-year-old won a penalty for Malaysia in the 72th minute after he was charged down by Vietnamese defender Doan Van Hau. Fittingly, he got to take the spot kick. And de Paula duly scored - a goal originating from Brazil.
Revitalised by the equaliser, the Malaysian team felt they were back in the game, and they continued to press forward.
However, the Vietnamese who packed their midfield with five men, were punchy with their darting runs and quick passes.
It was from one of those forays into the Malaysian box that Vietnam got a penalty of their own.
In the 82nd minute, Nguyen Van Toan cut in, and Malaysian midfielder Brendan Gan was adjudged by the referee to have tripped him. Vietnam captain Que Ngoc Hai made no mistake from the spot.
Malaysia one, Vietnam two, with eight minutes to go. It stayed that way even when five minutes of extra time were added to the match, which saw Malaysian players receiving five yellow cards for trying to stop the speedy Vietnamese.
Even if Malaysia had got the equaliser for the second time, it wouldn't have made much difference. Malaysia needed a win, nothing less.