KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian men's team smashed their way to the Badminton Asia Team Championships title at the Setia City Convention Centre in Shah Alam today.
The national side overcame a stiff challenge from Indonesia to win 3-0.
All England champion Lee Zii Jia led by example as he bounced back from an opening game loss to beat Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo 14-21, 21-12, 21-10 in the first singles.
In the first doubles, Olympic bronze medallists Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik also came through a strong challenge by world No 27 Leo Rolly Carnando-Daniel Marthin to prevail 17-21, 21-13, 21-18.
That set the stage for rising star Ng Tze Yong to deliver the winning point in the second singles.
And the world No 47 did not disappoint as he downed Leonardo Imanuel Rumbay Ikhsan 21-14, 21-15, much to the delight of the home crowd.
"It's good to win today even though I am still not at my best," said Zii Jia.
"Overall, it is also a good experience for the other players such as Tze Yong, and hopefully they continue this fine development to make us a stronger team for the Thomas Cup finals.
"Tze Yong in particular has been taking up more responsibility and I am definitely happy to see that."
The win is Malaysia's first team title since the 1992 Thomas Cup success, and the players will head into the Thomas Cup finals in Bangkok in May with renewed confidence.