PETALING JAYA: The formula to produce a Thomas Cup champion may sound simple, requiring three strong men’s singles players and one solid men’s doubles pair, but the reality is far from it.
Rather than reacting with drastic changes, the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) must focus on helping the players bounce back after the 34-year title drought continued.
They will not only have to compete in upcoming BWF World Tour events, but will also need to be ready for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, which will take place in just four months from Sept 19-Oct 5.
The key lesson for the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) now is to set more realistic targets that match the players’ current level.
Former 2013 All-England champion Hafiz Hashim believes Malaysia were not a weak side in Horsens, but the failure to deliver points, especially in the opening two matches against China, made it difficult for the rest of the team to handle the pressure and mount a comeback.
“Setting targets is important, but if we look at this Malaysian team, they are not weak because we have our strengths.
“The reason for our defeat was the first singles (Leong Jun Hao) and the doubles (Aaron Chia–Soh Wooi Yik). The first and second matches are very important and we did not deliver.
“That made it very difficult for the team. Moving forward, any team that can win the first two matches will definitely have the advantage,” said Hafiz.
Malaysia went down 3-0 to China in the quarter-finals and were eliminated, while China went on to retain the title, securing their 12th Thomas Cup crown.
Winning the Thomas Cup is one of the targets under the Tangkis 2030 plan introduced by new president Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz when he took office in May last year.
In the Asian Games, Malaysia are also still chasing a first team gold medal since the event was introduced in 1962 in Jakarta.
A more realistic target in Aichi-Nagoya would be to end a 12-year wait for a bronze medal, last achieved at the 2014 edition in Incheon.
Malaysia would only need to reach the semi-finals to achieve that, as both losing semi-finalists are awarded bronze medals.
