KUALA LUMPUR - Ruthless Malaysian badminton coach Hendrawan has warned his players they will be axed from the national squad if they lacked commitment in training, driving home his threat by sacking two members ahead of the Vietnam Open.

Leading Malaysians Kuan Beng Hong and Tan Chung Seang were dropped for not showing intensity in training, after a string of below par efforts by players from the Asian badminton powerhouse.

"If one cannot handle the pressure in training, how are they to handle themselves during competition?" Hendrawan told local media.

"Secondly, our players are only thinking of competing in tournaments without having to put much effort into the preparation."

"And if they lose, the defeat does not affect them greatly," he said. "This mindset has to change."

Hendrawan has picked lower-ranked players for next month's Vietnam tournament.