Bring in new players to strengthen their teams
GENTING HIGHLANDS (21 January 2019): The SS Purple League 2018/19 Final Rounds is only days away, with the six teams who confirmed their places at the Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting, taking advantage of the transfer window to strengthen their teams.
The transfer which ended on the 15th January gave teams the opportunity to refresh their squads as the teams renew their assault on the SS Purple League Final Rounds which will be held from the 24-27 January.SSPL stage one winners, Ampang Jaya BC opted against any drastic changes, with their sole addition to the squad, women’s singles shuttler from Thailand, Pornpawee Chochuwong.
Ampang Jaya BC manager, Ho Khek Mong said, “This is a coup for the team as we managed to bring in Pornpawee. But we are still banking on Goh Jin Wei, who has shown great form at the recent Malaysian Masters.”
“But we can’t really depend on her as she will be involved in the Indonesian Masters. Thus we will have to be prepared for any eventuality.
“Anyhow, I am not worried as not only us, but all the other teams will be facing this challenge,” said Khek Mong.
“We have been planning for this in advance. We hope that we can maintain our performance in the SSPL final rounds in our bid for our first title,” added Khek Mong.
Ampang Jaya BC which boasts an unbeaten record this season has a star studded lne up , among them world number one from Japan, Kento Momota, Lee Zii Jia, Chan Peng Soon, Brice Leverdez and many more.
Meanwhile, for Petaling BC coach, Ismail Saman, he hopes the new arrivals will address the weakness identified by him during the SSPL stage one previously.
Ismail said: “Their arrivals are part of our plans to strengthen our teams. This is based on the weakness that we have identified in the first round.
“Anyhow, what is important is that the players have to remain focused. Our opponent in the quarter finals is Tebrau City BC. On paper, it looks easy because we have won against them before this,” he said.
“But, it will be a different game as it will a knockout match. Past records don’t apply and the previous win is now history,”added Ismail.
Among the new names brought in by Petaling BC are Jan O’ Jorgensen (Denmark), Chong Wei Feng (Malaysia), Yip Pui Yin (Hong Kong), and BodinIsara (Thailand).
Defending champions, Puchong United BC also has added to their firepower by bringing in a few new names, Lin Guipu (China), Kim Sa Rang (Korea) and Eom Hye Won (Korea).
Runners up, Kepong BC will hope to continue their giant-killing run last season look formidable with the addition of Mads Conrad- Petersen (Denmark), Ricky Karandsuwardi and Rian Agung Saputro (Indonesia).
Two more teams,Tebrau City BC and Serdang BC also brought in new blood with Tebrau City BC bringing in men’s singles shuttler, Adulrach Numkul from Thailand while Serdang BC continuing their bold move by blooding youngsters, bringing in Mohd SyazmilIdham Zainal Abidin to compete in the final rounds.
The SSPL final rounds will be held at Resorts World Genting from the 24-27 January 2019.Tickets to watch the SSPL can be purchased at the venue and through the website https://www.purpleleague.com/ . For the SSPL final rounds, tickets are sold for RM 55 and RM65 for adults and RM30 for children.
