Power-packed Japan ended a 37-year wait to regain the Uber Cup with a 3-0 win over first-time finalists Thailand in the final played at the Impact Arena in Bangkok on Saturday.
With a world champion (Nozomi Okuhara) and Olympic champions (Misaki Matsutomo-Ayaka Takahashi) in their stable, Japan, seeded No 1, was the hot favourites in Bangkok.
The Thais, who stunned 14-time winners and defending champions China 3-2 in the semi-finals on Friday, never got into the picture in the final after Ratchanon Intanon, playing first singles against Akane Yamaguchi, lost focus following an argument with the umpire.
The umpire turned downed her appeal for a referral, alleging that it came too late and this led to a brief argument between the two. The game resumed but Intanon never recovered after this.
World No 2 Yamaguchi swept to a 21-15, 21-19 victory in 46 minutes and it was an uphill task for the host from there on.
“I did not feel good after the argument with the umpire. He (umpire) did not believe me. I am sad as I wanted to get the first point for my team,” said a sad Intanon after the match.
Japan’s world No 2 Yuki Fukushima-Sayaka Hirota then came on court and had little difficulty in securing a 21-18, 21-12 win in the first doubles against Jongkolphan Kititharakul-Puttita Supajirakul in 46 minutes.
Reigning world champion Nozomi Okuhara, ranked No 12, sealed a 21-12, 21-9 win over a tired Nitchaon Jindapol in 42 and Japan celebrated the silverware they last won in 1981 when they defeated Indonesia 6-3 (old format) in the final played in Tokyo.
The success in Bangkok is early signals that Japan is on the right track for their mission – the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Japan is also on track to achieving a grand double in Bangkok when the men’s team plays in the Thomas Cup final against China on Sunday. In the semi-finals on Friday the Japanese beat defending champions Denmark 3-2 while China stopped Indonesia 3-1.RIZAL ABDULLAH
RESULTS
UBER CUP FINAL
JAPAN 3 THAILAND 0
(Japan first)
WS1: Akane Yamaguchi beat Ratchanok Intanon 21-15, 21-19
WD1: Yuki Fukushima-Sayaka Hirota beat Jongkolphan Kititharakul-Puttita Supajirakul 21-18, 21-12
WS2: Nozomi Okuhara beat Nitchaon Jindapol 21-12, 21-9
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