Despite being the home to the world’s best badminton player, Malaysia will have to wait another two years before putting in a bid for the title of world’s greatest badminton nation: in a historic turn last night, Japan won its first Thomas Cup in a close shave 3-2 victory over Datuk Lee Chong Wei and the rest of Team Malaysia.
Despite a powerful start by Chong Wei as he defeated Kenichi Tago 21-12, 12-16 in the opening match in new Delhi’s Siri Fort Indoor Stadium, Malaysia lost the subsequent two matches. Tan Boon Heong/Hoon Thien How lost to Kenich Hayakama/Hiroyuki Endo 21-12, 17-21, 19-21 in the first single; in the second singles match, Chong Wei Feng lost 21-15, 21-17 to Kento Momota.
Goh V Shem/Tan Wee Kiong brought Malaysia back into contention by beating Keigo Sonoda/Takeshi Kamura 19-21, 21-17, 21-12 in the second doubles, but Liew Daren could not manage to overpower Takuma Ueda in the deciding last singles match. Despite his valiant efforts, Liew went down 12-21, 21-18, 17-21, putting the cup squarely in Japan’s hands – for the first time in tournament in history.
Malaysia last won the Thomas Cup in 1992 when they beat Indonesia 3-2 with a homegeound advantage, after a golden era when Malaysia won three times in a row from 1949 to 1955. Before Japan’s win, the Thomas Cup had been won by only one of three nations: Malaysia, Indonesia or China.
Photo: Yonex Twitter
