Malaysia, the defending champions, did it by disposing of Singapore 3-1 in the quarterfinals at the Setia City Convention Centre but the achievement was overshadowed by an injury to singles shuttler Ng Tze Yong.

Fielded in the first singles, the 23-year-old was forced to concede a walkover while trailing Jason Teh 1-3 in the first game due to a suspected recurrence of the back injury he sustained at last month’s Malaysia Open.

Undaunted, Malaysia levelled the score at 1-1 when top doubles pair Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik overcame Loh Kean Hean and Howin Wong 21-11, 22-24, 21-14.

Leong Jun Hao then took just 31 minutes to secure the second point with an easy 21-8, 21-12 win over Joel Koh before Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin Rumsani clinched the winning point in the second doubles with a 21-6, 20-22, 21-8 triumph over Wesley Koh and Junsuke Kubo.