Despite being seeded No. 1 at this year’s event, the No. 35 world ranked player faced many difficulties from the outer rounds.

Meanwhile, 19-year-old Tsuneyama, who is currently placed 90th on the world rankings, had consecutive victories over stronger opponents in the preliminary rounds to reach the final berth.

In their previous meeting in 2015, Tsuneyama had a convincing victory over the Vietnam’s player, and immediately challenged Minh from the beginning of the Finnish final.

Preemptive efforts helped the Japanese player rapidly take a 6-0 lead and then impressively win the first set with a 21-10 score.

In the second set, Minh strengthened efforts but only tied with Tsuneyama 4-4 before being conquered at 14-21.

Losing two straight sets to Tsuneyama brought about the tournament’s runners-up to Minh, but also helped him keep the advantage in the race to win tickets to the 2016 Olympics for the badminton men's singles.

Minh was also the best Vietnamese player at the tournament this year, as the others only reached the quarterfinals (mixed doubles, Do Tuan Duc - Pham Nhu Thao, and men’s doubles, Do Tuan Duc - Pham Hong Nam).

He is expected to play two other tournaments before the Badminton World Federation announces the list of players to attend the 2016 Olympics next month.