KUALA LUMPUR: The Speedy Tigers were on a mission to qualify for the Nations Cup semi-finals in Gniezno, Poland.
Instead, Sarjit Singh's side will be out to avoid finishing eighth when they face world No. 19 Austria on Sunday.
On Saturday, world No. 12 Malaysia were edged 4-3 by No. 14 South Korea in a fifth-eighth classification match.
South Korea scored through Kim Sung Yeob (26th minute), Seo Inwoo (28th), Lim Dohyun (38th) and Rim Jinkang (47th), while Faizal Saari (26th, 35th) and Azrai Aizad Abu Kamal (35th) replied for Malaysia.
However, Malaysia should blame themselves for the defeat. The team were down to 10 players after Azrai was sent to the sin bin for five minutes in the 44th minute.
With the numerical advantage, Korea scored their winning goal in the 47th minute.