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 BangkokĀ 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 favouritesĀ in Bangkok.Ā Ā
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The Thais, who stunned 14-time winners and defending champions China 3-2 in the semi-finalsĀ 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.
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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.
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World No 2 Yamaguchi swept to a 21-15, 21-19 victoryĀ in 46 minutesĀ and it was an uphill task for the host from there on.Ā
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“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.
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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 SupajirakulĀ in 46 minutes.
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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.
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The success in BangkokĀ is early signals that Japan is on the right track for their mission – the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
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Japan is also on track to achieving a grand double in Bangkok when the men’s team plays in the Thomas Cup final against ChinaĀ on Sunday. In the semi-finalsĀ on FridayĀ the Japanese beat defending champions Denmark 3-2 while China stopped Indonesia 3-1.RIZAL ABDULLAH
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RESULTS
UBER CUP FINALĀ
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JAPANĀ Ā 3Ā Ā Ā THAILANDĀ Ā 0
(Japan first)
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WS1: Akane Yamaguchi beat Ratchanok Intanon 21-15, 21-19
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WD1: Yuki Fukushima-Sayaka Hirota beat Jongkolphan Kititharakul-Puttita Supajirakul 21-18, 21-12
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WS2: Nozomi Okuhara beat Nitchaon Jindapol 21-12, 21-9Ā
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