Ampang Jaya BC Produce Stunner

KUALA LUMPUR (28 December 2017): Ampang Jaya BC showed their grit and determination to overcome Kepong BC 12-11 during their SS Purple League (SSPL) 2017/18 Phase 1 match at the Sports Arena Sentosa, Old Klang Road today.

Kepong BC drew first blood as their men’s singles, Lim Chi Wing ruined Ampang Jaya BC’s Yan Runze’s debut by winning the first match 3-2 (9-11, 11-3, 1-11, 11-10, 5-4).

Ampang Jaya BC levelled proceedings after Goh Jin Wei beat Kepong BC’s Japanese import, Natuski Higuchi in the women’s singles match – also with a 3-2 (11-6, 10-11, 11-2, 8-11, 5-4) scoreline.

The men’s doubles match – the highlight of the game – went in favour of Ampang Jaya BC’s Lukhi Nugroho and Muhd Syawal Ismail as they recorded a hard-fought 3-2 (11-10, 10-11, 11-10, 7-11, 7-5) win against Kepong BC’s Liao Min Chun and Su Ching Heng.

The mixed doubles match, featuring Ampang Jaya BC’s Ririn Amelia and Chan Peng Soon and Kepong BC’s Cheah Yee See-Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub ended in a 2-2 (11-10, 6-11, 9-11, 7-5)  draw which meant Ampang Jaya BC were still holding on to a one-point overall score (10-9) lead heading into the last match of the night.

Zulfadli Zulkiffli held onto dear life as he secured a 2-2 (11-5, 5-11, 11-7, 8-10) draw with Kepong BC’s Soong Joo Ven in the last men’s singles match to ensure Ampang Jaya BC went home the happier side. 

“I am very happy with our performance today, it is a well-earned win. Personally, I did well in my match (men’s doubles) because our opponents are one of the best in the world, so it feels great to beat them,” said Ampang Jaya BC’s coach-cum-player, Muhd Syawal Ismail. 

“We (Ampang Jaya BC) are not setting any unrealistic targets; we just want to qualify for the Finals in Resorts World Genting. It does not matter which position we finish in, just as long as we achieve qualification,” added Syawal. 

Meanwhile, Petaling BC scraped past Bangsar Hawks BC 13-9 despite some lackadaisical performances from their players in their SSPL 2017/18 Phase 1 match at the Sports Arena Sentosa, Old Klang Road earlier today.

Kenichi Tago got things going for Petaling BC as he was made to work hard for his win. Tago, who fell to a shock straight sets defeat in his previous match, bounced back to narrowly defeat Bangsar Hawks BC’s Zhang Song Ye 3-2 (11-6, 8-11, 11-4, 4-11, 11-6) in the first men’s singles.

They soon added another three points to the overall score as their Indonesian import, Hera Desiana Rachmawati made lightweight of her Bangsar Hawks BC’s opponent Shen Yabing. Hera won the women’s singles match in straight sets 3-0 (11-10, 11-2, 11-4).

But the Hawks’ spirits were not dampened as their men’s doubles pair of Yap Qar Siong and Dede Ryan Philip showed ruthless aggression to beat Petaling BC’s Goh V Shem and Ian Wong Jien Sern 3-1 (11-9, 9-11, 11-10, 11-9) in the third match of the tie.  

Petaling BC’s mixed doubles pair of Chen Tang Jie and Devi Tika Permatasari did just about enough as they edged Bangsar Hawks BC’s Hiripong Sathorn and Liu Lin in a close 3-2 (11-10, 5-11, 11-7, 8-11, 11-10) battle to put their team one step closer to victory.

Iskandar Zulkarnain once again proved to be the hero for Petaling BC as he emerged 3-2 (11-3, 8-11, 6-11, 11-8, 5-7) victorious in his men’s singles match against Zulhelmi Zulkiffli of Bangsar Hawks BC to steer his side to victory.

“Some of our performances today are a let-down as we underestimated our opponents. Today we see the true ability of the Bangsar Hawks team especially in the men’s doubles category as we aimed to win that match 3-0,” said Petaling BC’s coach, Ismail Saman.

“We have to change our mind set. What I meant by that is, no matter who we face next, whether they are a strong or weak team, we must play to our full potential and kill the games early to collect maximum points,” added Ismail.