KUALA LUMPUR: The national men's hockey team hit a new low with an embarrassing 4-2 loss to world No. 23 China in their second Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) match on Monday in Inner Mongolia.
Ranked 10 places higher at No. 13, Malaysia were expected to cruise past their opponents after holding former champions Pakistan to a 1-1 draw on Sunday.
But instead of delivering a dominant performance, Sarjit Singh's side were outplayed in every department, raising serious questions about their form and focus.
It was the Speedy Tigers' second loss to China this year, following a 3-2 defeat in the Olympic Qualifier in Muscat, Oman, in January.
The team's glaring inability to capitalise on nine penalty corners, managing just one goal, highlighted a lack of cutting edge that has become all too familiar.
China, buoyed by home support, struck early when Gao Jiesheng's ninth-minute penalty corner flick sailed past goalkeeper Zaimi Mat Deris.
While Malaysia levelled five minutes later through Azrai Aizad Abu Kamal's scrappy solo effort, the writing was already on the wall.
Despite Zaimi saving a penalty stroke from China captain Dihao Meng in the 18th minute, Malaysia continued to fall apart.
Jiesheng notched his second goal from another penalty corner in the 32nd minute, and a defensive blunder allowed Lin Changliang to make it 3-1 in the 40th.
Faizal Saari pulled one back off a penalty corner in the 50th minute, but any hopes of a comeback were crushed when Chao Jieming sealed China's victory with a penalty stroke in the 56th minute.
"This is not the result we wanted. China capitalised on our mistakes and scored their goals," said Sarjit after the match.
"We were also not clinical enough. We must take responsibility for not converting our chances, both from open play and penalty corners.
" We had better possession, but in the end, it's the number of goals that counts.
"The competition is still wide open, and we will work hard to secure a place in the top four."
The Tigers will face India, who top the standings after a commanding 5-1 victory over Japan, on Wednesday in what promises to be another uphill battle.
Malaysia's disastrous display against a team they were expected to beat has left fans and pundits questioning if the squad can salvage their ACT campaign, or if further humiliation awaits.