Head coach Ong Kim Swee admits that Malaysia's AFF Suzuki Cup campaign was a failure after the 2014 finalists' inability to make the knockout stage for only the third time in their history.
The Malaysians bowed out of the tournament after a 1-0 defeat to Myanmar in Yangon in their final Group B game on Saturday night. They finished third, behind Vietnam and Myanmar, with only one win in three games.
"I failed. The target was the final, and we did not even make the semifinals," Ong told the New Straits Times.
"The [FA of Malaysia] have been behind me all of the way, but certain matters were out of our hands."
Ong had a difficult task after the premature retirements of a quartet of Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) players in July, including Safiq Rahim, who was top scorer in the 2014 AFF Championship. Other JDT stars, including utility player Junior Eldstal, were also unavailable.
Malaysia won their first game against Cambodia last Sunday before Wednesday's 1-0 defeat to Vietnam where they also conceded a late goal, similar to the 88th minute strike in Yangon from Myanmar's David Htan.
The co-hosts needed only a draw, but were deserved winners against a Malaysian side who lacked fluency in the midfield, and bite up front, despite the surprise inclusion of veteran striker Norshahrul Idlan Talaha, at the expense of English-born Darren Lok, alongside Ahmad Hazwan Bakri.
Coach Ong was given a two-year contract in January, but could now come under pressure, with the influential Crown Prince of Johor -- the owner of JDT -- one of his most vocal critics.
Without a strong representation of players from Malaysian champions JDT, the 2016 AFF squad was one of the weakest ever sent to the regional showcase.
"Yes, I cannot tell this batch that they were not good enough," Ong said. "They fought hard, and almost made it, and I can't ask any more from them.
"We have to look at some young players when we get home, and build a team."
Malaysia's next priority will be qualification for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, with the third-round qualifiers beginning in March.