KUALA LUMPUR (26 January 2018): Petaling Badminton Club (BC) secured their first win of the SS Purple League 2017/18 Stage 2 after beating Kepong BC 12-6 in their Group B tie at the Sports Arena Sentosa, Old Klang Road earlier today.

Japanese international, Kenichi Tago inspired Petaling BC to a 3-0 lead early on as he beat Kepong BC’s Muhd Nuraidil Adha Azman in straight sets (11-8, 11-8, 11-5) in the first men’s singles match.

Kepong BC rallied back in the second match with Qin Jin Jing winning her women’s singles match against Petaling BC’s Hera Desiana Rachmawati 3-2 (11-8, 11-8, 7-11, 3-11, 2-1). It could have been easily gone Petaling BC’s way after Hera’s courageous fight back from being two sets down. But she could not hang on and lost the final set.

Aaron Chia and Man Wei Chong’s straight sets win (11-9, 11-8, 11-8) over Kepong BC’s Tee Kai Wun and Boon Xin Yuan in the men’s doubles match put Petaling BC within inches from their first win of Stage 2.

Indonesian mixed doubles pair, Devi Tika Permatasari and Irfan Fadhilah wrapped up the win for Petaling BC with a match to spare after registering a 3-0 (11-4, 11-7, 11-9) win over Kepong BC’s Cheah Yee See and Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub.

Lim Chi Wing helped soften the blow for Kepong BC as he won the last men’s singles match over fellow national shuttler, Cheam June Wei of Petaling BC 3-1 (5-11, 11-2, 11-6, 11-6).

Despite the win, Petaling BC’s coach, Ismail Saman was not satisfied with his players’ displays.

“Our performance for today was not up to our usual standards as the players needed more time to regain their momentum due to the long break. I hope they can work on their weaknesses and exhibit more spirited performances in the next game,” said Ismail.

“I also hope that they will continue to fight till the very end to get that automatic semi-finals spot as it will definitely be a major boost for us. We only have one more game to go before the Finals so I want my players to go all out for the win,” he added.

SS Purple League 2017/18 Stage 2 Results (26 January 2018)
(4pm) Kepong BC lost to Petaling BC 6-12
MS2: Muhd Nuraidil Adha Azman lost to Kenichi Tago 0-3 (8-11, 8-11, 5-11)
WS: Qin Jin Jing bt Hera Desiana Rachmawati 3-2 (11-8, 11-8, 7-11, 3-11, 2-1)
MD: Boon Xin Yuan-Tee Kai Wun lost to Aaron Chia-Man Wei Chong 0-3 (9-11, 8-11, 8-11)
XD: Cheah Yee See-Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub lost to Devi Tika Permatasari-Irfan Fadhilah 0-3 (4-11, 7-11, 9-11)
MS1: Lim Chi Wing bt Cheam June Wei 3-1 (5-11, 11-2, 11-6, 11-6)