KUALA LUMPUR (28 December, 2016): Puchong United BC dug deep to overcome first placed Petaling Jaya BC 11-9 in a top of the table clash during their SS Purple League (SSPL) 2016/17 match earlier today at Gem in Mall, Cyberjaya.
The loss marks the first defeat for Petaling Jaya this season as their unbeaten streak finally came to an end. Both sides introduced a host of new faces for the match.
Petaling Jaya’s youngster, Satheishtharan got them off to a good start after managing to claw his way back from being two sets down to draw his match against the experienced Chong Wei Feng 2-2 (7-11, 7-11, 11-10, 3-2) in the first men’s singles match.
However, Puchong United’s Japanese import, Sayaka Takahashi soon extended her team’s lead in the women’s singles match. Sayaka, making her first appearance of the season overcame Petaling Jaya’s Thai international, Sarita Suwannakitborihan 3-1 (11-3, 8-11, 11-8, 9-4) who started in place of Petaling Jaya’s usual women’s singles player, Deng Xuan.
And it was a vital win as well for Puchong United as that proved to be the only difference between the sides as the men’s doubles and mixed doubles match both ended in a 2-2 draw.
In the men’s doubles match, Bodin Issara-Koo Kien Keat of Petaling Jaya and Puchong United’s pair of Lee Jhe Huei-Lim Khim Wah played to a 11-9, 9-11, 11-10, 6-7 thriller while there were no winners in the mixed doubles match between Petaling Jaya’s Prajaktha Sawant-Tang Chun Man and Shevon Jemie Lai-Yoo Yeon Seong of Puchong United as it ended 9-11, 11-6, 6-11, 6-4.
Needing to win his match to at least preserve Petaling Jaya’s unbeaten run, Goh Giap Chin could not deliver the points as he could only draw with his Chinese Taipei international, Wang Tzu Wei counterpart 2-2 (10-11, 11-10, 11-8, 0-1).
Despite the loss, Petaling Jaya stays atop of the standings albeit a smaller point gap – 6 points – with second placed Puchong United.
“I feel that my players played well even though we lost today. It was a narrow margin and we still lead the standings. But I like the team spirit,” said Petaling Jaya’s coach, Yeoh Kay Lun.
“We will be making some changes to our squad for the coming games as we will be facing some strong sides like Petaling BC and BU Dragons BC. We need to win those matches and collect points in order to qualify for stage 2,” added Kay Lun.
In yesterday’s 8pm match, BU Dragons BC continued their strong start to their debut SSPL 2016/17 season with yet another win, this time at the expense of Ampang Jaya BC. The Dragons remain unbeaten this season as they grabbed their fourth consecutive victory by beating Ampang Jaya 11-8.
Their latest victim, Ampang Jaya has all to do after suffering two consecutive costly defeats which saw them go down the pecking order.
SSPL2016/17 Results (28 December 2016)
(4pm) Petaling Jaya BC lost to Puchong United BC 9-11
MS2: Satheishtharan drew with Chong Wei Feng 2-2 (7-11, 7-11, 11-10, 3-2)
WS: Sarita Suwannakitborihan lost to Sayaka Takahashi 1-3 (3-11, 11-8, 8-11, 4-9)
MD: Bodin Issara-Koo Kien Keat drew with Lee Jhe Huei-Lim Khim Wah 2-2 (11-9, 9-11, 11-10, 6-7)
XD: Prajaktha Sawant-Tang Chun Man drew with Shevon Jemie Lai-Yoo Yeon Seong 2-2 (9-11, 11-6, 6-11, 6-4)
MS1: Goh Giap Chin drew with Wang Tzu Wei 2-2 (10-11, 11-10, 11-8, 0-1)
SSPL2016/17 Results (27 December 2016)
(8pm) BU Dragons BC bt Ampang Jaya BC 11-8
MS2: Mek Narongrit drew with Suppanyu Avihingsanon 2-2 (5-11, 6-11, 11-10, 8-7)
WS: Goh Jin Wei bt Ho Yen Mei 3-0 (11-10, 11-3, 11-6)
MD: Mak Hee Chun-Markis Kido bt Kim Astrup-Muhammad Syawal 3-0 (11-6, 11-7, 11-3)
XD: Tan Kian Meng-Yap Zhen lost to Ririn Amelia-Terry Hee Yong Kai 2-3 (11-7, 11-7, 7-11, 6-11, 1-6)
MS1: Wei Nan lost to Lee Cheuk Yiu 1-3 (5-11, 8-11, 11-8, 6-7)
SSPL2016/17 Fixtures (28 December 2016)
(8pm) Klang City BC vs Petaling BC
