Despite their valiant effort, Malaysia's 2020 AFC U-23 Championship qualification hopes were dashed.
They weren't able to hold on to hang on to their 2-1 lead against favourites China in their last Group J match on Tuesday, conceding a late equaliser in the match held at the Shah Alam Stadium.
The failure to upset Gus Hiddink's charges meant they only finished the group in second place, and as the seventh best second-placed team, nowhere near the top-four second-placed teams, who will follow the 11 qualification stage group winners to the finals in Bangkok next year.