Puchong United BC Back in Business

KUALA LUMPUR (20 December, 2016): Puchong United BC bounced back from their opening day defeat to beat Serdang BC 12-7 during their SS Purple League 2016/17 match earlier today at Gem in Mall, Cyberjaya.

It was evident from the get-go that the match was going to be a tight one after former national shuttler, Chong Wei Feng of Puchong United and world junior number two, Lee Zii Jia of Serdang played to a 2-2 (11-9, 9-11, 11-6, 2-4) draw in the first men’s singles match. Nothing could separate the two as the current and future national stars play to an enthralling tie.

It remained a stalemate even after the second match as Puchong United’s Pan Lu and Serdang’s Chen Hsiao Huan too played to a 2-2 draw in the women’s singles category.

With the score all square, Puchong United finally broke the deadlock after their men’s doubles pair of Lim Khim Wah and Low Juan Shen trashed their Serdang rivals – Ong Wei Khoon and Tseng Min Hao in straight sets, winning 3-0 (11-10, 11-9, 11-9).

With the help of one half of the Rio Olympics silver medallist mixed doubles pair Goh Liu Ying, Puchong United extended the margin in the mixed doubles category. Liu Ying, along with her South Korean partner, Yoo Yeon Seong were just too strong for Serdang’s Afiat Yuris Wirawan and Yap Cheng Wen as they ran out 3-1 (11-5, 11-8, 9-11, 11-3) winners.

Having already secured the victory, Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk of Puchong United and Serdang’s Lu Chia Hung played to another 2-2 (11-7, 9-11, 6-11, 5-2) draw in the last match of the game.

“We had high expectations for this match and thankfully the players delivered. We are focused on our aim to win each point which is vital in the SSPL. It is important to gain as many points as possible and not give away too many points,” said Puchong United’s team manager, Irina Inozemtseva.

“I could sense that some of my players are not used to the 30 minutes system and that is why we lost some points today,” added Irina.

Commenting on the 30 minutes system, Irina thinks that it is important for her players to get used to the fast pace during pre-match trainings and sparring sessions to counter the time system.

Now that Puchong United has secured their first victory of the season, Irina has high hopes for her Puchong United side.

“Our target is to firstly qualify for stage 2 and also to finish in the top 2 spots in stage 1 as the top 2 teams will receive a bye into the semi-finals in stage 2,” said Irina.

In late SSPL 2016/17 action yesterday, Ampang Jaya BC registered their second successive victory after overcoming fellow SSPL giants, Muar BC 10-9 in a thrilling match. The result ensured Ampang Jaya remains atop the league standings.

SSPL2016/17 Results (20 December 2016)
Puchong United BC bt Serdang BC 12-7
MS2: Chong Wei Feng drew with Lee Zii Jia 2-2 (11-9, 9-11, 11-6, 2-4)
WS: Pan Lu drew with Chen Hsiao Huan 2-2 (11-4, 4-11, 11-10, 9-10)
MD: Lim Khim Wah-Low Juan Shen bt Ong Wei Khoon-Tseng Min Hao 3-0 (11-10, 11-9, 11-9)
XD: Goh Liu Ying-Yoo Yeon Seong bt Afiat Yuris Wirawan-Yap Cheng Wen 3-1 (11-5, 11-8, 9-11, 11-3)
MS1: Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk drew with Lu Chia Hung 2-2 (11-7, 9-11, 6-11, 5-2)

SSPL2016/17 Results (19 December 2016)
Muar BC lost to Ampang Jaya BC 9-10
MS2: Zulfadli Zulkiffli bt Cheam June Wei 2-1 (11-7, 11-5, 9-10)
WS: Sonia Cheah lost to Ho Yen Mei 1-3 (4-11, 11-6, 8-11, 6-7)
MD: Teo Ee Yi-Teo Kok Siang lost to Lukhi Nugroho-Muhammad Syawal 1-3 (11-5, 6-11, 6-11, 7-11)
XD: Chan Peng Soon-Lee Meng Yean drew with Ririn Amelia-Terry Hee Yong Kai 2-2 (10-11, 5-11, 11-9, 8-5)
MS1: Lee Hyun Il bt Lee Cheuk Yiu 3-1 (5-11, 11-6, 11-7, 7-3)

SSPL2016/17 Fixtures (20 December 2016)
8pm Bangsar Hawks BC vs Kepong BC