The Indonesia men's team powered their way to a third consecutive Asia Team Championships title courtesy of a 3-1 victory over Malaysia in the final on Sunday.

While defeat was deflating, the young Malaysian contingent can leave Manila with their heads held high after an encouraging performance throughout the week.

They had beaten India (4-1), South Korea (3-0) and Japan (3-0) to get to the final, and did their best to match their more experienced opponents in the final.

It looked an uphill battle for Malaysia from the offset after Anthony Ginting upstaged Lee Zii Jia 22-20, 21-16 to give Indonesia their first point.

Lee had been in great form in this tournament with a perfect win record prior to this showdown, and he started well by holding match point at 20-19 in the first game.

But the Malaysian squandered the opportunity to take the lead, and that paved the way for Ginting to come away with a second consecutive victory over him.



World number one pair Marcus Gideon-Kevin Sanjaya made it 2-0 to Indonesia with a 22-20, 21-16 triumph over Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik.

Like Lee, Chia-Soh had held game point at 20-18 in the opener, but failed to kill off the game and were made to pay for it.

The victory extends the Indonesians' stranglehold over the Malaysians to a 6-0 win record.

Cheam June Wei then breathed life into Malaysia's hopes when he overcame Jonatan Christie 21-16, 17-21, 24-22.

Both men dished out a scintillating contest at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum, with Cheam taking the first game 21-16 before Christie leveled at 21-17.

The Asian Games gold medalist looked to have won the tie for Indonesia with a 20-17 lead in the decider, but Cheam battled to force a deuce before clinching the match 24-22.



Cheam's victory merely delayed the celebration for Indonesia, who clinched their third consecutive title through the stratch pairing of Mohammad Ahsan-Fajar Alfian.

The Indonesians who were playing their first competitive match together, easily brushed aside Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi 21-18, 21-17 for the win.

Thank you, Malaysian warriors ???⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ The national men’s team emerged runners-up after going down fighting to defending champions, Indonesia 1-3 in the #BATC2020 finals in Manila.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ In the opening match, @leeziijia fought bravely against world No. 5, Anthony Ginting 20-22 16-21 before @aaronchiatengfong @sohwooiyik lost to top ranked Marcus Fernaldi-Kevin Sukamuljo in a thrilling second match with the same scoreline.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ World No. 72, @cheamjunewei kept his composure to pull one back for Malaysia in a high-octane third match. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Valiant June Wei stunned world No. 7 Jonatan Christie 21-16 17-21 24-22 to record his career’s biggest win to date.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ In the fourth match, @ee_yi_111 @ongyewsin charging efforts were undone by Fajar Alfian-Mohammad Ahsan 18-21 17-21.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ #BadmintonMalaysia⁣⁣ #BadmintonLovers⁣⁣ #KebanggaanKita

A post shared by BAM (@ba_malaysia) on



Japan meanwhile secured the women's team championships title with a 3-0 victory over South Korea.

The Malaysian men's and women's team have also qualified to the Thomas & Uber Cup on merit after they made the semi-finals.