For the first time since 2008, Malaysia failed to clinch a last-four berth at the AFF Suzuki Cup.
The 2014 finalists exited after a limp 1-0 loss to co-hosts Myanmar on Saturday completed a disappointing campaign after Vietnam had doomed the team to defeat by the same scoreline in Group B three days earlier.
There are many reasons why Harimau Malaysia flopped in Yangon, but here are the top five:
1. They never had a game plan
It seemed that the Malaysians took to the pitch just hoping for the best in every match.
Against Cambodia, they trailed twice through strikes from Chan Wathanaka, and were fortunate to recover and win 3-2, thanks to their opponents almost non-existent defending. But Vietnam and Myanmar were prepared for Malaysia, as they executed their tactics in a slick and methodical manner.
Malaysia, meanwhile, lacked any direction and appeared clueless with possession, resorting mostly to long ball tactics when all else failed. As a result, they struggled to make any inroads when it mattered most.
2. Wrong team selection
Head coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee claimed to have his best squad for this tournament, but some of his starting eleven were mere passengers.
Baddrol Bakhtiar, for example, was a mere shadow of the player who inspired Kedah to the Malaysia Cup title a few weeks earlier. But as Baddrol was the only playmaker around, he started in all three games, and did nothing of value.
The same can be said for the likes of Shahrul Saad, Irfan Fazail and Norshahrul Idlan Talaha, who arguably did not even merit a place in the squad.
3. Off-field distractions
The national squad were constantly disrupted by other factors in their lead-up to the regional showcase, and also during the tournament.
The retirements of the Johor Darul Ta'zim quartet meant the national chief could not call on some of the best players from the Malaysia Super League, with a majority featuring for the Southern Tigers.
During the tournament, the Malaysian government also called for a boycott on Myanmar, due to the treatment of the Rohingya Muslims in the country, before rescinding their decision.
All of these were unnecessary distractions, derailing the players' focus and preparation at crucial times.
4. No game changer
Cambodia had the tricky Chan, Vietnam boasted the prolific Le Cong Vinh, while Myanmar possessed the indomitable Aung Thu, who almost singlehandedly masterminded their priceless win over Malaysia.
Ong had none of these game-changers within his ranks.
Safee Sali and Norshahrul Idlan Talaha have confirmed that they are both a spent force, while there was only so much influence captain Amri Yahyah could exert on the team in the shadows of his 36th birthday.
While Syazwan Zainon and Ahmad Hazwan Bakri must be given recognition for effort, in all honesty, they simply did not possess enough quality to drag Malaysia out of trouble when needed.
5. OKS may not be right coach
Ong may no longer be the right man to lead Malaysia into the 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers next March.
On the evidence of this tournament, he took too long to introduce change in times of need, and was too calculated in his approach. While always accommodating with the media, and a hard worker, Ong lacks the experience and firepower on the international front of the coach now needed now to take charge of the national team.
JDT owner Tunku Sultan Ismail says that he wants to line up a candidate for the national position. Perhaps that person should be brought in to make changes as soon as possible ahead of the Asian Cup qualifiers.
Malaysia certainly can't risk another humiliating year of football after winning only five games in 2016.