Kepong BC Advances into the SSPL 2017/18 Semi-finals

GENTING HIGHLANDS (8 February 2018): Kepong Badminton Club (BC) secured a place in tomorrow’s SS Purple League (SSPL) 2017/18 semi-final after registering a hard-fought 11-8 quarterfinal win over Petaling BC at the Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting today.
Indian international, Dey Subhankar set the tone early on for Kepong BC as he trashed his more experienced and higher ranked Petaling BC opponent, Lee Hyun Il 3-0 (11-10, 11-9, 11-7) in the first men’s singles match.

Petaling BC managed to get on the scoreboard and secured their first win of the game as their women’s singles, Zhang Beiwen was made to work hard for her 3-2 (10-11, 11-9, 6-11, 11-7, 11-8) victory over Kepong BC’s Qin Jin Jing.

They could not capitalise on the win as their men’s doubles pair of Aaron Chia and Shia Chun Kang fell to Kepong BC’s more formidable pair of Liao Min Chun and Su Ching Heng 1-3 (6-11, 11-7, 10-11, 8-11) in the third match. The result put Kepong BC in a commanding position.

But Chen Tang Jie and Peck Yen Wei of Petaling BC emerged 3-2 (11-8, 10-11, 10-11, 11-9, 10-8) victorious over Kepong BC’s Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub and Cheah Yee See in the mixed doubles match to set up a tensed finale.

Needing only to win one set to secure a semi-final berth, Kepong BC’s Lim Chi Wing duly delivered for his team as he and Petaling BC’s Tanongsak Saensomboosuk played to a 1-1 (5-11, 11-4) draw in the last match of the night.

“It was indeed a surprise that we managed to beat Petaling BC as their line-up was definitely stronger. But thankfully our players performed tremendously well to guide us into the semi-finals,” said Kepong BC’s head coach, Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif.

Zakry reserved praise for their debutant, Dey Subhankar as his win in the first match had a major impact on proceedings.

“I think the most shocking result of the night was the first men’s singles match. Subhankar’s win definitely gave us a major lift and belief to go on and win the game,” said Zakry.

“Our opponent tomorrow, Cheras BC is also a strong side. We know we won’t be favourites entering the match but we will just try our very best and work hard to grind out a favourable result,” he added.

Awaiting Kepong BC in the SSPL 2017/18 semi-final tomorrow is Cheras BC. Earlier, Petaling Jaya BC beat Ampang Jaya BC 9-4 in the other quarterfinal match to set up a semi-final date with Puchong United BC.

SS Purple League 2017/18 Finals Results (8 February 2018)

(8pm) Quarterfinal #2
Kepong BC bt Petaling BC 11-8
MS1: Dey Subhankar bt Lee Hyun Il 3-0 (11-10, 11-9 11-7)
WS: Qin Jin Jing lost to Zhang Beiwen 2-3 (11-10, 9-11, 11-6, 7-11, 8-11)
MD: Liao Min Chun-Su Ching Heng bt Aaron Chia-Shia Chun Kang 3-1 (11-6, 7-11, 11-10, 11-8)
XD: Cheah Yee See-Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub lost to Chen Tang Jie-Peck Yen Wei 2-3 (8-11, 11-10, 11-10, 9-11, 8-10)
MS2: Lim Chi Wing drew with Tanongsak Saensomboosuk 1-1 (5-11, 11-4)

(4pm) Quarterfinal #1
Ampang Jaya BC lost to Petaling Jaya BC 4-9
MS1: Tan Jia Wei bt Goh Giap Chin 3-0 (11-6, 11-7, 11-10)
WS: Xu Wei lost to Supanida Katethong 1-3 (8-11, 11-8, 10-11, 6-11)
MD: Lukhi Apri Nugroho-Muhd Syawal Mohd Ismail lost to Chooi Kah Ming-Kim Gijung 0-3 (10-11, 7-11, 8-11)
XD: Ch’Ng Choo Han-Ririn Amelia lost to Kim Sa Rang-Lim Chiew Sien 0-3 (2-11, 8-11, 5-11)

SS Purple League 2017/18 Finals Fixtures (9 February 2018)
Semi-finals #1: (4pm) Puchong United BC vs Petaling Jaya BC
Semi-finals #2: (8pm) Cheras BC vs Kepong BC