In the final Group B tie of the Thomas Cup in Horsens, Denmark, professional shuttler Lee Zii Jia secured a significant personal victory by defeating Japan's world No. 20 Koki Watanabe 21-13, 21-19. This marked Zii Jia's first-ever win over Watanabe in four meetings and maintained his perfect record in this year's world men's team championships.

Despite Zii Jia's stellar performance in the dead rubber match, Malaysia lost the tie 2-3 to the 2014 champions. Earlier matches saw Leong Jun Hao lose to Kodai Naraoka, and although the doubles pair of Aaron Chia and Tee Kai Wun levelled the score, Japan eventually clinched the win. Malaysia now moves into the quarter-finals as the runners-up of Group B. 

Zii Jia expressed that this win has provided a timely boost to his confidence ahead of the knockout stage, especially after a period plagued by injuries. The knockout draw is scheduled to take place later today to determine Malaysia's next opponent in the quest for the title.