Brad Maloney’s men suffered their second consecutive defeat after being thrashed 1-4 by defending champions South Korea on Thursday, eliminating their chances of repeating their best performance in 2018, when they progressed to the quarterfinals.

Malaysia nearly stunned Thailand in the third minute as team captain Mukhairi Ajmal Mahadi’s shot went barely off the left post, while Nik Akif Syahiran Nik Mat’s attempt went directly into the arms of Nopphon Lakhonphon a minute later.

But as the game went on, they seemingly ran out of ideas getting past the War Elephants’ defence and were punished in the 23rd minute through the opening goal of the match from striker Suphanat Mueanta.

Mueanta hit a right-footed effort that deflected off Harith Haiqal to get the Thais going.

Thailand upped the tempo of their game in the second half, while Malaysia struggled despite Maloney’s introduction of Aiman Afif Afizul and Japanese club player Hadi Fayyadh Razak to try to turn the game.

Malaysia’s best chance came in the 60th minute through Hadi Fayyadh, but he failed to take advantage of a one-on-one situation with Lakhonphon.

It was a miss to rue, as Promsrikaew, who was left unmarked, tapped in a pass from the right by Nicholas Mickelson to double Thailand’s advantage in the 69th minute.

Four minutes later, Mueanta easily scored his second goal after receiving a pass from Oxford United’s Benjamin Davies.

The forward almost scored a hattrick, but his volley hit the woodwork in the 81st minute.

Meanwhile, Vietnam bounced back from behind to hold South Korea 1-1 in another Group C match.

Thailand leads South Korea in Group C on goal difference with four points, followed by Vietnam with two points and Malaysia at the bottom without a point.