PETALING JAYA, May 22 — Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) technical director Morten Frost admitted Malaysia’s Thomas Cup team were not good enough following Friday’s 3-2 semifinal loss to Denmark.

Frost, who returned to Malaysia 14 months ago, has made big changes to the set-up but there is still plenty of work to be done before the nation can dream of regaining the Thomas Cup they last won in 1992.

“We have to accept we’re not good enough. We had our chances but we couldn’t take advantage,” said the 58-year-old, who was Malaysia’s coach from 1997-2000. 

“I’ve said before in team events anything can happen. The moment we started to falter was when Iskandar (Zulkarnain Zainuddin) cracked under pressure.

“We led 2-0 and he lost 21-18, 21-18 to Hans-Kristian Vittinghus.”

Lee Chong Wei had given Malaysia a flying start by beating European champion Viktor Axelsen 23-21, 21-18.

Goh V Shem and Tan Wee Kiong then defeated Mathias Boe and Mads Conrad-Petersen 21-18, 21-18.

After Iskandar’s defeat, Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen levelled by edging Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong 10-21, 21-8, 21-13 and in the deciding match, Emil Holst outplayed Chong Wei Feng 21-15, 21-18.

“We may not see the desired results in such a short period, but I believe Malaysia can have a great team in the long run,” said Frost. 

BAM deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Norza Zakaria apologised for the loss.

“On behalf of the players and officials, I would like to apologise for failing to bring back the Thomas Cup. The players gave their best but fell short,” said Norza.

“We have to relook how we do things as we can’t depend on the seniors after this.

“We need to have a succession plan to raise up younger talent.”