Malaysia's hopes of qualifying for the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup ended after they lost 2-0 to Japan at the 2018 AFC U-16 Championship on Thursday.
The four teams reaching the semi-finals would automatically for the tournament in Peru next year.
With Tajikistan beating Thailand 2-1 in the other Group A match, Malaysia needed just a draw in their final group match at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium to ensure their spot in the quarter-finals.
However, the absence of top scorer Luqman Hakim, who was sent off in an earlier 4-2 defeat to Thailand, left the young Tigers toothless upfront in the match, which was rescheduled from Wednesday due to poor weather.
With the home side offering almost no goal-scoring threat, it was only a matter of time before the Japanese found the back of the net.
The first goal came in the 37th minute as Shoji Toyama took full advantage of a defensive shamble in Malaysia's box.
Head coach Lim Teong Kim tried to shake things up in the second half with player substitutions, but Japan were always in control of the game.
After missing several chances to seal the game, Japan hit the final nail in Malaysia's coffin in injury time with Hikaru Naruoka stealing the ball in midfield and rifling an effort that deflected off the crossbar and goalkeeper Sikh Izhan Nazrel into the goal.
The defeat saw Malaysia finish bottom of Group A and Japan progress to the quarters alongside Tajikistan, who were thrashed 6-2 by Malaysia in the opening match.
Seng Foo Lee
Thu Sep 27 2018
Unai Emery extends Aston Villa contract
Erik Ten Hag says reaction to Manchester United’s FA Cup win was ’embarrassing’
The club have faced criticism after letting a 3-0 lead slip against second-tier Coventry at Wembley.
PGMOL to allow Nottingham Forest to hear VAR audio of rejected penalty claims
A closer look at the hot streak of world number one Scottie Scheffler
Championship run-in: Where the top four stand in race for automatic promotion
Stuart Attwell named in VAR team for Euro 2024 amid Forest controversy
The news comes two days on from Attwell’s officiating being criticised by Forest after their loss at Everton.
Durham chief insists issues with the ECB are in the past
The county were stripped of Test status and demoted in 2016 following ECB sanctions.
Chong Wei thanks Paris 100 for gathering him, Lin Dan, Peter Gade and Taufik
Lee Chong Wei paid a special tribute to the Paris 100 Exhibition Match organizers for inviting him to a legends’ match-up featuring the sport’s finest shuttlers that included Lin Dan, Taufik Hidayat and Peter-Gade recently.
Barcelona could demand Real Madrid replay if ‘phantom goal’ deemed legal
VAR ruled Lamine Yamal’s shot had not crossed the line during Barca’s 3-2 defeat at the Bernabeu
Football rumours: Five clubs in the race to sign Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise
The 22-year-old has scored seven goals in 14 games for the Eagles this season.