Thailand's fairytale run at the Uber Cup ended on Saturday when the women's badminton team lost the tournament final 3-0 to top-seeded Japan.
The victory in the best-of-five contest was the first in the biennial tournament by Japan in 37 years.
Thailand had gone into the final on a high after defeating defending champions China 3-2 on Friday evening, with Busanan Ongbamrungphan winning the deciding singles match for a second consecutive day. The final was Thailand's first in five appearences in the Uber Cup tournament.
For the Chinese women, it was the first time since they began participating in the Uber Cup in 1984 that they had not appeared in a final.
In the opening singles match on Saturday, Akane Yamaguchi defeated Ratchanok Intanon in straight sets, 21-15, 21-19. Ratchanok briefly took the lead in the second set but could not hold on and her opponent prevailed after 46 minutes.
World No. 2 Yamaguchi used a mix of deft touches at the net and controlled power shots to take first blood in the final. Fourth-ranked Ratchanok blamed a loss of concentration after arguing with the umpire.
With the score 3-2 in the second, she became rattled after the umpire ruled that her appeal for a review of a line call was too late.
"She (Yamaguchi) concentrated more than me," Ratchanok told reporters. I did not feel very good (after) I had a fight with the umpire ... because he did not believe me (over the review).
"I'm sad, I wanted to get the first point for my team."
In the first doubles match, Yuki Fukushima and Sayaka Hirota prevailed 21-18, 21-12 over Jongkolphan Kititharakul and Puttita Supajirakul in 46 minutes.
It then fell to Nitchaon Jindapol to try and get Thailand back into contention in her singles match against Nozomi Okuhara. But the Japanese world No.9 defeated her 12th-ranked opponent 21-12, 21-9.
The focus at Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani now switches to the Thomas Cup final, in which the Japanese men will face China, starting at 1pm.
Japan, led by singles star Kento Momota who swatted away world No.1 Viktor Axelsen on Friday, defeated Denmark in the semi-final. China ousted Indonesia to make the final.
The Thai women's team salute the fans after their runner-up finish, their best-ever performance in five trips to the Uber Cup tournament.