KUALA LUMPUR: BA of Malaysia (BAM) coaching director Rexy Mainaky has urged the national shuttlers to pick themselves up rather than dwell on the disappointment of not reaching the Thomas Cup final in Chengdu.
On Saturday, Malaysia were knocked out in the semi-finals following a 3-1 defeat to China at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Centre.
In the tie, world No. 2 Shi Yu Qi drew first blood for the host nation when he downed world No. 10 Lee Zii Jia 21-19, 21-5 in the first singles match.
Former world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik restored some order when they bounced back from a first-game blemish to upset world No. 1 Liang Wei Keng-Wang Chang 15-21, 21-12, 21-17.
However, China led again through Hangzhou Asian Games champion Li Shi Feng, who made quick work of Leong Jun Hao 21-17, 21-10 before He Ji Ting-Ren Xiang Yu sealed the tie with an 18-21, 21-19, 21-12 win over Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani.
Rexy said anything could have happened, but there is no point dwelling on the 'what-ifs'.
"Could the tie have gone differently if Lee Zii Jia had won the first game with Yu Qi? Perhaps, but there is no saying for sure.
"I know Yu Qi was also under a lot of pressure because the score was so close in the first game. However, he overcame it, and the second was all his.
"I'm not saying that the doubles are better than our singles.
"Aaron-Wooi Yik were also slow off the blocks in the first game. But they overcame it in the second, and thankfully in the third.
"Our players are not very far behind, but there are areas in which we need to improve. I want our players to have a sense of knowing what they need to do on court and not only rely on coaches' input.
"That's the difference between some of the top players in the world and ours.
"Nonetheless, I don't see why we can't have a formidable squad in two years' time if we can continue building on this momentum," Rexy said.
The Indonesian former world and Olympic champion also emphasised the importance of working together as a team and will continue to seek the expertise of team psychologist Frederick Tan.
It is worth noting that apart from Zii Jia, who had his own training arrangements with his coach Wong Tat Meng, the rest underwent a one-week centralised training camp at the Academy Badminton Malaysia before the Thomas and Uber Cup Finals.
"It definitely did a whole load of good. I will sit down and discuss with Frederick and the coaches to see what works and how we can move forward.
"The players should forget that the Thomas Cup is over. Next up is the Olympics.
"It is crucial to shift their focus and use all the feelings and energy from the Thomas Cup for the Olympics," added Rexy.
Players from the Thomas Cup squad bound for the Paris Games in July are Zii Jia and Aaron-Wooi Yik.