Japan joins the exclusive club member of
nations that have won the prestigious Thomas Cup after beating 5 times
champion, Malaysia, at the Siri Fort Indoor Stadium in New
Delhi, India, last night. In their first ever final appearance, the
Japanese fought hard to beat the Malaysians 3-2 in nail-biting pulsating
affair which lasted over six hours. With the tie level at 2-2, Liew
Daren put up a stirring fight-back from 10-16 down in the second game,
to force a rubber. However, more relaxed Takuma Ueda brushed aside
Liew's challenge in the nervy set decider by winning the all important
set 21-17.
Earlier World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei
had given Malaysia a dream start, beating Kenichi Tago 21-12, 21-16 in
the first single, only for Kenichi Hayakawa-Hiroyuki Endo to draw level
after edging Tan Boon Heong-Hoon Thien How in the first double. It was
one of the best matches seen in this year's Thomas Cup,
with both pairs having the chance to win it. In the end, the tenacity
of World No. 3, Kenichi Hayakawa-Hiroyuki Endo pulled them through as
Tan Boon Heong-Hoon Thien How were left wondering what might have been
had they won that match instead of the Japanese. It was such a crucial
tie as the Japanese were the favourite to win the next two single while
Malaysia looked good for a point in the second double.
The script went as planned after that with former World Junior Champion, Kento Momota
outplaying Chong Wei Feng and Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong duly defeated
Keigo Sonoda-Takeshi Kamura. That sets up a title decider as the
expectation of the nations weighed heavily on Liew Daren's and Takuma
Ueda's shoulders. Liew Daren gave his best but too many unforced errors
contributed to his downfall. In the end, it was all in vain as the
Japanese shuttlers celebrated wildly at one corner after Daren sent the
shuttle out wide at 17-20. Japan is the 2014 Thomas Cup Champion.
- Brader Sports
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