But social media users had kind words for Haziq Nadzli, whose attempt at saving the ball delivered Thailand the goal they needed to emerge champions.
Haziq, a Johor Darul Ta’zim goalkeeper, blames it on the rain.
“The ball was swinging in and I wanted to punch it, but the rain caused me to mess up,” he told sports portal Stadium Astro.
“It was just not my luck and I did not do it intentionally.”
The howler came in the 38th minute after Malaysia gave away a corner.
The much-needed equaliser to lift the spirits of tens of thousands of fans who packed the Shah Alam stadium did not arrive, despite a spirited fight in the second half.
Some fans were less forgiving of Haziq.
“First goalkeeper to score a goal in a final, a record for Malaysia, we should be proud,” said a tweet.
Another was even more brash, and questioned whether corruption was involved.
“What are the chances Haziq Nadzli got a donation from Thailand? Just saying… and kidding,” said a Twitter user.
But there was overwhelming sympathy for Haziq.
“Fyi, Haziq Nadzli is just 19 and he’s played in the SEA Games while you badmouthing him here, what have you accomplished at 19?” asked Sashmitaa J as Malaysians took their disappointments online.
“And why are you people forgetting the one big save he did and instead point out his blunder only?”
Haziq said he “could have made ten saves”, but people would only remember his mistakes.
“They can say whatever they want, I don’t care,” he said.