The demise of Malaysian soccer can be blamed, in part, on the continuing problems with match-fixing, the country’s youth and sports minister said.

Malaysia has slumped to their worst Fifa ranking of 171st out of 209 and suffered a painful 10-0 record defeat by the United Arab Emirates in World Cup qualifying in September.

Malaysia has been troubled with numerous match-fixing incidents and Khairy Jamaluddin said the problems had yet to disappear fully despite united efforts.

“Match-fixing has been shackling national football since several years ago,” the minister was quoted as saying by the Bernama news agency.

“But continuous effort is being carried out by the Football Association of Malaysia, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and the Royal Malaysian Police with the ministry to combat the scourge.

“Although we cannot eradicate the problem, we have been able to reduce it as is apparent in reports relating to offers to players.”

Malaysia host the UAE later today behind closed doors after crowd disorder in a loss to Saudi Arabia in September. They have no chance of qualifying for Russia 2018.

- Reuters