KUALA LUMPUR (7 January, 2017): Muar BC sealed first place of the SS Purple League (SSPL) 2016/17 Stage 1 after defeating closest rivals Puchong United BC 11-8 during their SSPL 2016/17 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)
(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)
