KUALA LUMPUR (3 January, 2017): Muar BC continued their fine form by defeating a strong Petaling Jaya BC team during their SS Purple League (SSPL) 2016/17 match at the Kuala Lumpur Badminton Stadium, Cheras 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,” said the Indonesian.
SSPL 2016/17 Results (3 January 2017)
(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)
SSPL 2016/17 Fixtures (3 January 2017)
(8pm) Klang City BC vs BU Dragons BC
