Japan Scripts History, Wins Thomas Cup For The First Time

Japan defeated five-time champions Malaysia in an epic final that lasted nearly six hours and won the Thomas Cup badminton title for the first time. Takuma Ueda defeated Daren Liew in the crucial fifth rubber as Japan completed a 3-2 victory.

Japan is the fourth nation, after Indonesia, China and Malaysia, to lift the Thomas Cup.

Malaysia gave a tough fight in the first doubles and won the second, but lost the deciding singles. The decider saw Boon Heong Tan and Thein How Hoon save a match point to make it 19-20.

Kento Momota settled a score against Wei Feng Chong and put Japan ahead for the first time. The 39-minute battle featuring two left-handers was quite thrilling. However, Momota stayed in control on the big points to avenge the three-game loss suffered in last year’s Malaysia Open.

In the second doubles, 13th ranked Keigo Sonoda and Takeshi Kamura brought Japan closer to the title but they were eventually beaten after losing control in second and third games.

Ueda defeated Liew in a tough battle. Ueda was first cruising when he led 15-9 after winning the first game. But Liew fought back to clinch the game. However, the deciding game turned Ueda's way.

The results (final): Thomas Cup: Japan beat Malaysia 3-2 (Kenichi Tago lost to Lee Chong Wei 12-21, 6-21; Kenichi Hayakawa & Hiroyuki Endo beat Boon Heong Tan & Thien How Hoon 12-21, 21-17, 21-19; Kento Momota beat Wei Feng Chong 21-15, 21-17; Keigo Sonoda and Takeshi Kamura lost to V. Shem Goh and Wee Kiong Tan 21-19, 17-21, 12-21; Takuma Ueda beat Daren Liew 21-12, 18-21, 21-18).