Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia’s Thomas Cup team has returned to Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday. Upon their arrival, technical director of Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) Morten Frost Hansen told reporters at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) that although the Malaysia men’s team has bowed out in the Thomas Cup semi-finals, the team enjoyed a good campaign despite failing to reach the final.
“We had a good campaign, I think we did well. We beat Korea in the group stage, and sent Korea to play China,” said Morten Frost.
“Korea then beat China, which is the biggest upset in the tournament.”
“We had our chance playing in the semi-finals against Denmark, unfortunately we did not make it.”
“But I still feel we came back from China with pride.”
“We’ve reached our targets, we did what we should do, and I have no regrets.”
“Tomorrow is a new day, we will keep fighting, we will do the best we can, we will try to improve and hopefully next time we can do even better.”
Malaysia had led 2-0 against Denmark after Malaysia’s badminton superstar Lee Chong Wei defeated Denmark’s top shuttler Viktor Axelsen in the first men’s singles match, and Goh V Shem/Tan Wee Kiong put Malaysia ahead with their win in the first men’s doubles match.
However, Iskandar Zulkarnain, Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong, and Chong Wei Feng couldn’t convert on their matches, allowing Denmark to fight back from 0-2 down to win the tie with 3-2.
Denmark went on to create history by becoming the first European team to clinch the Thomas Cup badminton title, overcoming the all-time Thomas Cup champion Indonesia 3-2 in the final.
