Badminton Asia Team Championships 2024: People's Republic of China defeat Malaysia 3-0 to claim title as Lee Zii Jia misses final
Weng Hongyang put China on the way to a first men's crown in Shah Alam, after Lee Zii Jia was ruled out by a relapse of a sinus problem.
People’s Republic of China beat hosts Malaysia 3-0 to claim a first men’s title at the Badminton Asia Team Championships 2024 in Shah Alam on Sunday (18 February).
Having returned from a sinus problem to lead the reigning champions to victory over Japan in Saturday's semi-finals, a relapse forced Lee Zii Jia to sit out the final.
And with Ng Tze Yong ruled out by a back injury, the odds were very much against Malaysia repeating their triumph from last year.
In a tournament they traditionally use to blood young talent, with top singles players Shi Yuqi and Li Shifeng among those missing, China took the lead in the final when Weng Hongyang – ranked 16th in the world – defeated Leong Jun Hao 21-19, 21-17.
The reigning champions had Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik on court in the second rubber, but Xie Haonan and Zeng Weihan took the opening game 21-16.
Back came the 2022 world champions, winning the second by the same scoreline to force a decider in a must-win match for the home team.
There was very little to choose between the pairs in a third game full of entertaining net rallies with the Malaysians taking an 11-10 lead into the changeover.
Chia and Soh brought up match points at 20-19 and 21-20, both of which were saved, before Xie’s lightning reflexes at the net set up match point for the Chinese.
And left-hander Xie excelled again in the next rally to clinch the game 23-21 and, with it, a 2-0 lead for China.
Malaysian hopes of survival rested on the shoulders of Eogene Ewe, but the 18-year-old found Lei Lanxi too strong.
There appeared to be a clear gulf in class as Lei raced into a 19-6 lead before closing out the first game 21-10 in just 15 minutes.
Ewe made a better start to the second, but the left-hander soon pulled clear to take victory 21-10, 21-14 and complete the Chinese triumph.
Earlier, India claimed their first title in the history of the Badminton Asia Team Championships as their women defeated Thailand 3-2.
