Big Win for Puchong United BC

KUALA LUMPUR (19 December 2017): Puchong United Badminton Club (BC) showed their title contending credentials as they trounced the hapless Bangsar Hawks BC in the 8pm match today at the Sports Arena Sentosa, Old Klang Road.

Puchong United BC were raring to go and that was signified from the get-go as their men’s singles player, Liew Daren cruise past his Bangsar Hawks BC opponent, Muhd Syafiq A Sanusi 3-0 (11-6, 11-5, 11-3) in the first match.

They soon recorded another victory, this time courtesy of Japanese international, Aya Ohori’s 3-1 (11-3, 10-11, 11-7, 11-7) win over Bangsar Hawks BC’s Yap Yee in the women’s singles match.

At this point, Puchong United BC threatened to run away with the tie as Lim Khim Wah and Mak Hee Chun were in top form to beat Bangsar Hawks BC’s men’s doubles pair of Deoe Ryan Philip and Yap Qar Siong 3-1 (11-10, 7-11, 11-8, 11-6). Lim and Mak had to be at their best to beat the stubborn Deoe and Yap who gave a good account of themselves.

World Number 11, Lai Pei Jing and Tan Kian Meng extended Puchong United BC’s lead as they breezed past Bangsar Hawks BC’s Keshya Nurvita Hanadia and Roobenraj Velayuthamin convincing fashion, winning the mixed doubles match 3-0 (11-3, 11-7, 11-5).

Puchong United BC’s Hong Kong import, Wei Nan then put the final nail in Bangsar Hawks BC’s coffin as he routed Zulhelmi Zulkiffli 3-0 (11-6, 11-6, 11-10) in the last match of the night.

With that win, Puchong United BC is currently leading the SSPL 2017/18 standings after the first round of matches with 15 points followed by Petaling BC and Petaling Jaya BC who has 12 and 11 points respectively. 

“This is a big win for us – winning 15 points tonight is a great start for us. It is important that we start off on the right foot. However, I hope our players can remain consistent and focus on securing qualification for the Grand Finals,” said Puchong United BC’s team manager, Irina Inozemtseva.

In the 4pm match, Ampang Jaya BC opened their SSPL 2017/18 campaign with a 10-8 win over Cheras BC at the Sports Arena Sentosa, Old Klang Road earlier today.

It was not the perfect start for Ampang Jaya BC though as their Vietnamese import, Nguyen Tien Minh was beaten in straight sets 0-3 (10-11, 6-11, 8-11) in the first men’s singles match of the tie by Cheras BC’s Chong Wei Feng.

But national women’s Number 1, Goh Jin Wei proved too strong for her Cheras BC opponent, Nuntakarn Aimsaard as she registered Ampang Jaya BC’s first three points of the tie and of the SSPL 2017/18 campaign. Goh won her match comprehensively in straight sets 3-0 (11-4, 11-0, 11-2) and only in 13 minutes – surely a record that will not be easily matched despite the league being only two days old.

Ampang Jaya BC went on the ascendancy as their men’s doubles pair of Lukhi Nugroho and Muhd Syawal scrapped past Cheras BC’s Mohd Razif Latif and Mohd Arif Latif 3-1 (11-7, 11-9, 8-11, 11-8) in the third match of the tie.

The experienced head of Rio 2016 Olympic silver medallist, Chan Peng Soon then steered Ampang Jaya BC even further ahead. He and his partner of the day, Ririn Amelia easily defeated Cheras BC’s Ahmad Maziri Mazlan and Payee Lim Peiy Yee 3-1 (11-6, 11-7, 8-11, 11-5) in the mixed doubles match.

However, Ampang Jaya BC’s Zulfadli Zukiffli could not keep up the run of good results for his team as he fell to Cheras BC’s Indonesian import, Tommy Sugiarto 1-3 (11-10, 4-11, 10-11, 4-6) in the last men’s singles match.

“Our opponents today might be young but they are talented. That is why Ririn and I did not take things easily and we ended up with the 3-1 win today,” said Ampang Jaya BC’s Chan Peng Soon.

“I have no problems with whoever I partner. It was Ririn today but it might be with someone else in coming games. Most importantly is that we form an understanding and chemistry to play together. I target a top three finish for my new team, Ampang Jaya BC and that we secure qualification to the Grand Finals in Resorts World Genting,” added Chan.