Intro:

Japan lifted the BWF (Badminton World Federation) Thomas Cup for the first time in their history after a hard-fought 3-2 victory over five-time winners Malaysia in New Delhi, India on Sunday (25 May).

Script:

The final of the Badminton World Federation Final saw Malaysia face Japan.

The opening tie went the way of Malaysia. World No 1 Lee Chong Wei defeating Kenichi Tago in straight games.

And it looked as if Malaysia were on their way to a sixth BWF title.

Japan drew level though in the first doubles match.

Their world number three duo of Kenichi Hayakawa and Hiroyuki Endo came out on top after a three-set thriller against scratch pairing Tan Boon Heong and Hoon Thien How.

The third tie saw Malaysia's Chong Wei Feng, previously so consistent in the tournament with five wins from five, suffer his first defeat as 19-year-old Kento Momota dominated with a 21-15, 21-17 victory.

It was now or never for Malaysia - and they went a game down in the fourth tie.

Yet when Malaysia's Goh and Tan staged a remarkable comeback it was tied at two apiece.

Shouldering Japan's hopes of a first ever BWF trophy was Takuma Ueda, ranked 25 in the world, while Malaysia fielded Liew Daren, ranked just 66.

But it was eventually Ueda who held his nerve to clinch the Thomas Cup for Japan 21-17.

Japan become only the fourth nation to lift the Thomas Cup since its inception in 1949.