WITHIN the Malaysia camp, a certain sense of accomplishment is prevailing.

The Thomas Cup squad, after all, made the targeted semi-finals and the fight they put up against China was certainly stiffer than what hosts Indonesia could muster against South Korea in the other semi-final.

There were the normal apologies, with chief coach Yap Kim Hock leading the way, but the feeling here is that Malaysia have missed the point.

They had China, yes mighty China, by the collar but -- as only Malaysia can do -- they let them get away scot-free and Li Yongbo and his men could be celebrating a seventh Thomas Cup triumph today.

It could well have been Malaysia for this edition of the Thomas Cup was the most open in years.
Yes, defeat was mainly due to Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong's loss but the bigger picture that Malaysia have to look at is that we lack depth.

Second singles Wong Choong Hann and Hafiz Hashim -- despite coach Misbun Sidek being adamant that he was back to his best -- were always going to be passengers in the crucial ties.

This is where Malaysia lost out to China.

The defeat of World No 1 Lin Dan to Lee Chong Wei, while a major shock, didn't worry China the moment Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng beat Kien Keat-Boon Heong.

China knew their singles strength would carry them through and it did.

While the odds were always going to be against them, neither Choong Hann nor Hafiz showed any signs of being able to upset Bao Chunlai and Chen Jin, respectively.

The question here is what is the BA of Malaysia's plan after this?

Choong Hann has played in his last Thomas Cup while Misbun, for so long the defender of Hafiz, reckons the former All England champion will never regain his form.

What is BAM's back-up plan?

Word has it that the current batch of juniors have not impressed and unless there are players who are being groomed secretly, Malaysia's singles challenge will end when Chong Wei leaves the scene.

If the situation in the singles is worrying, Kien Keat-Boon Heong are in an even worse position.

The pair, who are potential Olympic champions, are in danger of blowing themselves away and with the Beijing Olympics less than four months away, one wonders just how much more can doubles coach Rexy Mainaky do.

But credit should be paid where its due and Chong Wei and doubles Zakry Latif-Fairuzizuan Tazari must take a bow for their outstanding displays against China.

Chong Wei is Beijing-bound and he must lead Malaysia's charge for medals, hopefully gold.

Only then should there be a feeling of accomplishment.