Kepong BC Registers First Win of the Season

KUALA LUMPUR (21 December 2017): Cheras Badminton Club (BC) are still struggling to find their feet in their return to the SS Purple League (SSPL) as they remain winless after two matches. This time, they lost 8-12 to Kepong BC during their SSPL 2017/18 Phase 1 match at the Sports Arena Sentosa, Old Klang Road today.

Kepong BC came out of the blocks all guns blazing as they won the first two matches in quick successions. Soong Joo Ven beat Cheras BC’s Chong Yee Han 3-1 (11-10, 7-11, 11-4, 11-6) in the first men’s singles while Ho Yen Mei trounced her Singaporean rival, Grace Chua Hui Zen in straight sets 3-0 (11-5, 11-2, 11-7).

But their momentum was halted momentarily as Yang Po Han and Nur Azriyn Ayub struggled with their team chemistry in the men’s doubles match. They fell to Cheras BC’s Mohd Arif Latif and Amirsyazwan Al-Razi 1-3 (6-11, 10-11, 11-4, 9-11).

Kepong BC got back to winning ways as Goh Soon Huat and his mixed doubles partner, Ng Wing Yung won their match at the final second to secure an all-important 3-2 (11-9, 11-6, 7-11, 9-11, 6-5) win over Cheras BC’s Hendra Gunawan and Tan Wei Han. The result also guaranteed Kepong BC’s first win of the season.

“My partner and I managed to communicate well and that is the major aspect for our win tonight. I was bitterly disappointed that I could not contribute in the last match. But I am happy with our win against Cheras BC and will continue to improve my game to help my team qualify for the Grand Finals,” said Kepong BC’s Goh Soon Huat.

The shares were spoilt in the last men’s singles match as Kepong BC’s Thongnuam Pannawit came back from two sets down to draw 2-2 (4-11, 8-11, 11-9, 9-8) with Cheras BC’s Tommy Sugiarto.

Meanwhile, Puchong United BC exacted revenge after defeating reigning SSPL champions, Petaling Jaya BC 15-3 in a repeat of last season’s final during their SSPL 2017/18 Phase 1 match at the Sports Arena Sentosa, Old Klang Road earlier today.

The shocking big result was made even sweeter as it propelled Puchong United BC to the top of the SSPL 2017/18 standings after the second round of matches.

Puchong United BC were eager to make a statement and that was exactly what they did as their men’s singles, Liew Daren ensured his team got off on the right note. Liew defeated Petaling Jaya BC’s Goh Giap Chin 3-1 (11-9, 9-11, 11-7, 11-7) in the first match of the tie.

They then established a commanding lead with their Japanese import, Aya Ohori making lightweight of Petaling Jaya BC’s Thai international, Supanida Katethong in the women’s singles match. Ohori’s straight sets 3-0 (11-4, 11-9, 11-9) win put her side 6-1 up in the overall score at this point.

Facing an uphill task, Petaling Jaya BC finally took the battle to their opponents. But despite putting up a good fight, it was Puchong United BC who pushed on even further as their men’s doubles pair, Lim Khim Wah and Mak Hee Chun secured a hard-fought 3-2 (10-11, 11-8, 11-6, 9-11, 5-4) win over Petaling Jaya BC’s Chooi Kah Ming and Low Juan Shen.

National mixed doubles pair, Lai Pei Jing and Tan Kian Meng secured the victory for Puchong United BC with a routine straight sets 3-0 (11-1, 11-5, 11-6) win over Petaling Jaya BC’s mixed doubles pair of K. Yogendran and Ti Wei Chyi.

With the second win of the season in the bag, it was all about points collection heading into the fifth and final match of the tie. Petaling Jaya BC were banking on Lee Cheuk Yiu to secure some consolation points but Puchong United BC’s Wei Nan did not let up as he trashed his international compatriot Lee 3-0 (11-8, 11-10, 11-7) in an all-Hong Kong affair.

“This is one of Puchong United BC’s best performances I have ever seen. From the first match until the last we were superb. One of the major factors was that we used the same players as in the first game, that is why our players looked so comfortable on the court,” said Puchong United BC’s team manager, Irina Inozemtseva.

“Today’s match should be a benchmark for us. We will strive to perform like we did today in the coming matches. But it won’t be easy, we will need to focus especially during trainings as we aim to qualify for the Grand Finals,” added Irina.