Sunday's victory gives Asia the trophy for the first time

Asia beat Europe 10-6 to win the Royal Trophy for the first time.

The home side went into Sunday's singles leading 6½-1½ and needing just two points to clinch victory at the Amata Spring Country Club near Bangkok.

Prayad Marksaeng won the first with a 5&4 win over Pablo Larrazabal before Toru Taniguchi beat Niclas Fasth 7&6.

Despite the loss, European captain Jose Maria Olazabal paid tribute to absent skipper Seve Ballesteros, who is recovering after brain surgery.

"My last words are for Seve," said the Spaniard, hinting that Ballesteros may return as captain in 2010.

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"He is recovering from some health issues, but even though I'm the captain this year, I might not be the captain next year - and I can assure you he is going to be tougher than I was."

Olazabal, who was called in as late replacement for close friend Ballesteros, insists the defeat would not dampen his ambitions to be a future Ryder Cup captain.

"There are things we will all keep in mind if I become captain of the Ryder Cup," he said.

"It's up to the players to say how good a captain I was. I'll talk to them and see how I can improve."

Scotland's Paul Lawrie won the day's second match for Europe but the woeful performances from Larrazabal and Fasth gave Asia an unassailable lead.

Nick Dougherty, Oliver Wilson and Johan Edfors all recorded their first points of the week but their wins were in vain.

Singles results:

Soren Hansen (Den) halved with Ryo Ishikawa (Jpn)
Paul Lawrie (Sco) bt Wen-chong Liang (Chn) 3&2
Nick Dougherty (Eng) bt Charlie Wi (Kor) 1 up
Pablo Larrazabal (Spa) lost to Prayad Marksaeng (Tha) 5&4
Oliver Wilson (Eng) bt Hideto Tanihara (Jpn) 3&2
Johan Edfors (Swe) bt S K Ho (Kor) 5&4
Niclas Fasth (Swe) lost to to Toru Taniguchi (Jpn) 7&6
Paul McGinley (Irl) lost to Thongchai Jaidee (Tha) 5&4

Asia bt Europe 10 - 6

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