Malaysia failed to qualify for the 2020 AFC U-23 Championship despite fighting out a resilient 2-2 draw with China at the Shah Alam Stadium on Sunday.
The young Tigers took the lead twice through Zhu Chenjie's own goal and Danial Haqim Draman, but China fought back each time with goals from Zhang Yuning and Jiang Shenglong.
Despite having the same amount of points in Group J, Ong Kim Swee's boys finished second behind China, who had a superior goal difference thanks to their big wins over Laos (5-0) and the Philippines (8-0).
China were through to next year's finals as group winners, while Malaysia could've still gone through as one of the five best second-placed teams depending on results elsewhere.
However, next year's hosts Thailand lost 4-0 to Vietnam, which reduced the number of slots to four because they qualified for the tournament regardless.
Australia, Iran, Syria and Saudi Arabia then edged out Malaysia for those spots, as well as their ticket to the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, despite several group matches still ongoing.
Thus, last year's edition remained as Malaysia's only appearance at the tournament.
They made their AFC U-23 Championship debut in China last year and reached the quarter-finals, where they lost to South Korea.
Seng Foo Lee
Tue Mar 26 2019
Yusoff: Usah kejar keputusan seri
Pengurus skuad bawah 22 tahun negara, Datuk Wira Yusoff Mahadi, tidak mahu skuad kendalian Datuk Ong Kim Swee mengharapkan keputusan seri apabila turun bertemu Thailand dalam perlawanan kedua kelayakan Kumpulan H Kejohanan Konfederasi Bolasepak Asia (AFC) B-23, esok.
Kelayakan AFC B-23: Thailand belum tunjuk taring
Kapten skuad bawah 22 tahun negara, Adib Zainuddin, menegaskan aksi Thailand ketika bertemu Mongolia tidak boleh dijadikan ukuran terhadap kemampuan sebenar skuad Gajah Putih menjelang pertemuan kedua-dua pasukan dalam aksi kelayakan Kumpulan H Kejohanan Konfederasi Bolasepak Asia (AFC) B-23, esok.
Curry says togetherness key as Warriors rally following Green ejection
Draymond Green was ejected for the fourth time this year on Wednesday, but the Golden State Warriors still left Orlando with a crucial win.
Sean Dyche hoping Everton’s latest Premier League charge ‘comes to nothing’
A hearing took place earlier this week and the club are now awaiting a verdict, which should be delivered before April 8.
Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds owed nearly £9million by Wrexham
The Welsh club returned to the English Football League last April after a 15-year absence.
Jamie George assists with England training during Guinness Women’s Six Nations
England captain Marlie Packer knows George from Saracens, who she has represented since 2017.
Marco Silva wants Rodrigo Muniz to relish new expectations at Fulham
The striker has found his feet in the Premier League in 2024.
Mauricio Pochettino surprised Ben Chilwell started England games after injury
Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali charged over alleged breaches of FA betting rules
Tonali is alleged to have breached FA rule E8 50 times by betting on matches between August 12, 2023 and October 12, 2023.
UEFA to consider increasing Euro 2024 squad sizes at meeting next month
A number of coaches have called on European football’s governing body to allow countries to take 26 players to Germany instead of 23.
Nottingham Forest’s double European Cup winner Larry Lloyd dies aged 75
Lloyd also won the First Division title and UEFA Cup with Liverpool.
James aiming to be 'smart' with workload management
LeBron James knows he has to be "smart" with his workload management as he aims to stay fit for the rest of the campaign.