BU Dragons BC Returns to Winning Ways

KUALA LUMPUR (3 January, 2017): BU Dragons BC started the new year on the right foot as they condemned Klang City BC to their second successive defeat in a span of a day during their SS Purple League 2016/17 8pm match at the Kuala Lumpur Badminton Stadium, Cheras today.

Despite their impressive record of most wins and the least losses in the SSPL 2016/17 so far, the Dragons still found themselves in fifth prior to the match as they did not collect as much points as they would have liked. BU Dragons BC was also looking to bounce back from the defeat in their previous match – their only defeat of the season so far.

National team shuttlers, Goh Soon Huat and Goh Jin Wei got BU Dragons off to a flyer as they won their men’s and women’s singles matches 3-1 and 3-0 respectively. However, the Dragons suffered a hiccup in the men’s doubles match as Klang City’s Low Hang Yee and Muhd Umar Al-Qhatab rose to the occasion to defeat BU Dragons’ pair of Chooi Kah Ming and Chow Pak Chuu 3-1.

However, BU Dragons went on to record a 3-1 win in the mixed doubles match and a 3-0 win in the second men’s singles match to secure the tie 13-5.

“Overall it is a good team performance by us today. I won my match easily because Nanna made many unforced errors. With a full BU Dragons’ squad, and that includes senior players like Tan Wee Kiong, we should be able to finish top six,” said Jin Wei.

Meanwhile, Muar BC continued their fine form by defeating a strong Petaling Jaya BC team 13-5 during their SS Purple League SSPL 2016/17 match at the Kuala Lumpur Badminton Stadium, Cheras earlier today.

Petaling Jaya who surrendered top spot on the last day of 2016, was aiming to bounce back from their back-to-back defeats while Muar kept faith with the line-up that trashed Klang City BC 15-1 yesterday.

Zulfadli Zukiffli got the ball rolling for Muar as he won his men’s singles match against Petaling Jaya’s Goh Giap Chin with ease (3-0). Muar’s women’s singles player, Saena Kawakami followed suit as she recorded a 3-1 victory over Petaling Jaya’s Thai import, Sarita Suwannakitborihan. The 19-year old Japanese has been making head waves ever since her introduction last week as she won her third straight match.

Koo Kien Keat and Or Chin Chung were powerless to stop the Muar ascendancy as they too fell to a 1-3 lost to Muar’s Teo Ee Yi and Teo Kok Siang in the men’s doubles match. The men’s doubles’ triumph secured Muar’s fifth victory of the season.

However, Petaling Jaya’s mixed doubles pair of Tang Chun Man and Woon Khe Wei managed to shock the more experienced Muar pair of Chan Peng Soon and Lee Hyo Jung as they won their match 3-1.

“We played quite well today. We know they are both top players. Everything just went our way in the game. It is a bonus for us to win today and definitely a confidence booster. We just want to contribute points for our team,” said Woon.

Muar’s Korean star, Lee Hyun Il ensured his team ended the match on the right note as he cruised past his Petaling Jaya counterpart, Khosit Phetpradab in straight sets.

The result also meant that the Johor side goes top while Petaling Jaya finds themselves at the runners-up spot.

“I am very proud with my team’s performance during the SSPL stage 1 because it is our target to reach the knockout rounds in Genting Highlands and I think we are very close to achieving that,” said Muar’s head coach, Nova Armada.

“I initially thought that today’s game will be a tight one. But we exceeded expectations as we recorded a huge victory. For the remaining matches, I just hope that my players can remain focused and consistent,” added the Indonesian.
SSPL 2016/17 Results (3 January 2017)
(8pm) Klang City BC lost to BU Dragons BC 5-13
MS2: Leong Jun Hao lost to Goh Soon Huat 1-3 (8-11, 4-11, 11-7, 6-11)
WS: Nanna Alexandra Vainio lost to Goh Jin Wei 0-3 (1-11, 4-11, 5-11)
MD: Low Hang Yee-Muhd Umar Al-Qhatab bt Chooi Kah Ming-Chow Pak Chuu 3-1 (11-9, 4-11, 11-10, 11-9)
XD: Cheah Yee See-Hoo Pang Ron lost to Chow Mei Kuan-Tan Kian Meng 1-3 (11-10, 8-11, 5-11, 6-11)
MS1: Tai An Khang lost to Wei Nan 0-3 (3-11, 5-11, 9-11)

(4pm) Petaling Jaya BC lost to Muar BC 5-13
MS2: Goh Giap Chin lost to Zulfadli Zulkiffli 0-3 (9-11, 6-11, 6-11)
WS: Sarita Suwannakitborihan lost to Saena Kawakami 1-3 (9-11, 7-11, 11-10, 3-4)
MD: Koo Kien Keat-Or Chin Chung lost to Teo Ee Yi-Teo Kok Siang 1-3 (10-11, 11-8, 6-11, 6-11)
XD: Tang Chun Man-Woon Khe Wei bt Chan Peng Soon-Lee Hyo Jung 3-1 (11-8, 8-11, 11-10, 10-8)
MS1: Khosit Phetpradab lost to Lee Hyun Il 0-3 (9-11, 7-11, 6-11)