Japan beat Malaysia 3-2 to win Thomas Cup (updated)

Lee Chong Wei (second left) and the rest of the Malaysian players and officials walk off after receiving their Thomas Cup silver medal at the Siri Fort Stadium in New Delhi on Sunday. Malaysia lost the final to Japan 3-2. - AZHAR MAHFOF/ The Star

NEW DELHI: The expectations of a whole nation – starved of Thomas Cup success – proved too much to bear for the Malaysian badminton team as they went down fighting 3-2 to Japan in the final at the Siri Fort Indoor Stadium here on Sunday.

The Malaysian team, making their first appearance in the final since Guangzhou in 2002, threw everything at first-time finalists Japan but their failure to clinch the tie before the deciding third singles match meant that the long wait to bring back the coveted Thomas Cup trophy continues.