THT versus KLHC – A clash of the titans
January 7, 2017
SSPL 2016/17: KB Ampang Jaya Lakar Kemenangan Bergaya
January 7, 2017
KUALA LUMPUR (7 January, 2017): Ampang Jaya BC ruined Datuk Wira Lee Chong Wei’s solitary SS Purple League (SSPL) 2016/17 appearance as they defeated Chong Wei’s team, Petaling BC during their SS Purple League (SSPL) 2016/17 8pm match at the Kuala Lumpur Badminton Stadium today.
Ampang Jaya’s famous win see them go third while Petaling dropped down a spot to fourth – in danger of dropping down even further depending on results tomorrow.
It turned out to be a bad day for Petaling. Kenichi Tago’s winning streak was ended by Ampang Jaya’s Thai international, Suppanyu Avihingsanon while Iskandar Zulkarnian had to retire early in his match due to back worries.
Ampang Jaya won four matches, apart from the main event – the mixed doubles match. Chong Wei made his only SSPL 2016/17 appearance in that match as he partnered Olympic gold medallist, Chinese international Zhao Yunlei. With their wealth of experience, they easily dispatched Ampang Jaya’s Singaporean pair of Tan Wei Han and Terry Hee Yong Kai.
“With all the stars on show today, I think the major factor of our victory is that we played without any pressure. And that led to one of our best achievements – beating a very strong side,” said Ampang Jaya’s team manager, Ho Khek Mong.
“I am happy with our position in the league, which proves that we are a strong side as well. I must also highlight that since the inaugural Purple League, we have not lost to Petaling BC,” added Khek Mong.
Muar BC sealed first place of the SSPL 2016/17 Stage 1 after defeating closest rivals Puchong United BC 11-8 during their 4pm match at the Kuala Lumpur Badminton Stadium earlier today.
Puchong United needed a big win to cut a 6 point deficit and snatch top spot from their Johor compatriots.
But they got off to a worst possible start as Muar’s Zulfadli Zukiffli decimated Puchong United and fellow national shuttler, Chong Wei Feng in straight sets during the first men’s singles match. Following the win, Soniia Cheah extended Muar’s lead as she won her women’s singles dual against Puchong United’s Chinese international, Pan Lu 3-1.
Formidable Chinese Taipei pair, Lee Jhe Juei and Lee Yang dragged Puchong United back into the game as they ran out comfortable 3-1 winners over Muar’s pair of Teo Ee Yi and Teo Kok Siang in the men’s doubles match.
The Johoreans got back to winning ways as their mixed doubles pair of Chan Peng Soon and Korean international, Lee Hyo Jung proved too hot to handle. The Olympic medallists beat Puchong United’s Lim Khim Wah and Shevon Jemie Lai 3-1 in their match to put the game to bed.
Veteran singles player, Lee Hyun Il could not add more gloss to the final score as he went down easily to Puchong United’s Chinese Taipei player, Chou Tien Chen, losing 1-3.
“We initially target just to get 8 points from this match to finish first in the league. But to win the match is a bonus. I am very satisfied with my players’ performance today,” said Muar’s head coach, Nova Armada
The Indonesian international also expressed his worries in facing Puchong United, Petaling Jaya BC and Datuk Wira Lee Chong Wei’s Petaling BC during the knockout rounds next month.
“Now that we have qualified for Stage 2 as leaders of Stage 1, we will try to go all the way and win the SSPL. We will make some changes to the squad and hopefully it will strengthen our team,” added Nova.
Meanwhile, BU Dragons BC climbed up to third place after condemning Petaling Jaya BC to their fourth straight defeat during their SSPL 2016/17 match earlier today at the Kuala Lumpur Badminton Stadium, Cheras.
With that convincing 13-8 win over early front-runners Petaling Jaya, BU Dragons BC has also confirmed their qualification for Stage 2 of the SSPL 2016/17 season while Petaling Jaya slips further down the pecking order to fifth.
They will need at least two points from their last match against seventh placed, Serdang BC to ensure they too qualify for Stage 2 of the SSPL 2016/17.
SSPL 2016/17 Result (7 January 2017)
(8pm) Petaling BC lost to Ampang Jaya BC 5-12
MS2: Kenichi Tago lost to Suppanyu Avihingsanon 1-3 (4-11, 5-11, 11-5, 8-9)
WS: Lim Yin Fun lost to Ho Yen Mei 1-3 (3-11, 11-7, 3-11, 6-11)
MD: Andrei Adistia-Ian Wong Jern Sien lost to Lukhi Nugroho-Muhammad Syawal 0-3 (4-11, 8-11, 10-11)
XD: Lee Chong Wei-Zhao Yunlei bt Tan Wei Han-Terry Hee Yong Kai 3-0 (11-6, 11-8, 11-4)
MS1: Iskandar Zulkarnain lost to Lee Cheuk Yiu 0-3 (7-11, 7-11, 2-5)
(4pm) Puchong United BC lost to Muar BC 8-11
MS2: Chong Wei Feng lost to Zulfadli Zulkiffli 0-3 (5-11, 7-11, 3-11)
WS: Pan Lu lost to Soniia Cheah Su-Ya 1-3 (11-4, 3-11, 2-11, 8-11)
MD: Lee Jhe Huei-Lee Yang bt Teo Ee Yi-Teo Kok Siang 3-1 (11-5, 11-4, 8-11, 11-6)
XD: Lim Khim Wah-Shevon Jemie Lai lost to Chan Peng Soon-Lee Hyo Jung 1-3 (2-11, 11-10, 6-11, 9-11)
MS1: Chou Tien Chen bt Lee Hyun Il 3-1 (11-9, 11-8, 7-11, 8-1)
(12pm) Petaling Jaya BC lost to BU Dragons BC 8-13
MS2: Goh Giap Chin lost to Goh Soon Huat 1-3 (6-11, 9-11, 11-10, 0-1)
WS: Deng Xuan lost to Goh Jin Wei 1-3 (6-11, 6-11, 11-3, 5-11)
MD: Koo Kien Keat-Or Chin Chung bt Chooi Kah Ming-Mak Hee Chun 3-2 (4-11, 11-9, 11-9, 10-11, 4-3)
XD: Tang Chun Man-Woon Khe Wei lost to Lai Pei Jing-Tan Kian Meng 1-3 (11-3, 9-11, 10-11, 4-8)
MS1: Khosit Phetpradab drew with Wei Nan 2-2 (11-10, 8-11, 6-11, 6-5)
