Kepong BC checks into the SSPL 2018/19 semifinals

GENTING HIGHLANDS (24 January 2019): Last season’s finalists, Kepong Badminton Club (Kepong BC), powered by doubles specialist, Mads Conrad-Petersen are two steps from repeating their performance again, after recording a 10-4 win over Serdang Badminton Club (Serdang BC) in the quarter finals of the SS Purple League 2018/19 Final Rounds at the Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting today.

Mads Conrad, who can play in the men’s and mixed doubles was brought in during the transfer window last week and it proved a masterstroke for the team who finished runners up to Puchong United Badminton Club (PUBC) last season.

The lanky Danish player did the business, partnering Wu Qian Qian from China to secure two valuable points in a 2-1 (11-10, 8-11, 11-7) victory over Malaysian-Chinese pairing, Yap Qar Siong-Liu Lin in the mixed doubles for an unassailable 10-4 lead.

From the quarter finals onwards, ties will end once a team reaches an unassailable lead with Kepong BC marching on to a semi-final match up with undefeated, Ampang Jaya Badminton Club (AJBC) in the semis tomorrow.

“I felt at the beginning, we were a bit pressured, maybe Joo Ven wanted the win badly until it backfired on him. But his team mates managed to help him out to win 3-0 and this gave us back the advantage,” said head coach Zakry Latif.

“We will meet Ampang Jaya BC in the semi-finals, a tough opponent and also undefeated. Anyway, we will do our best to try create an upset,” added Zakry of his team who lost 8-10 to PUBC last season.

World junior 2017 silver medallist, Leong Jun Hao threatened to throw a spanner in the works of Kepong BC after the Serdang BC men’s singles shuttler won 3-2 (5-11, 11-5, 11-10, 6-11, 11-10) over his senior team mate in the national squad, Soong Joo Ven.

Having been out of action for four and a half months due to hip injury, this win was a good sign for the 19 year old player who started to attract the attention of the badminton fraternity after winning the gold medal in Asian Junior Championships in 2017.

Women’s singles, Qin Jing Jing quickly put Kepong BC’s fears to rest when she won 3-0 (11-5 11-9 11-7) over compatriot Wei Yawen in an all China affair for Kepong BC to lead 5-3.

Men’s doubles, Mohd Arif Ab Latif-Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub then turned on the style to win comfortably 3-0 (11-9 11-8 11-5) over local junior pair, Lwi Sheng Hao-Mohd Syazmil Idham Zainal Abidin before Mads Conrad and Qian Qian did the rest.

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.rwgenting.com/entertainment/shows/Purple-League2019/ . For the SSPL final rounds, tickets are sold for RM 55 and RM65 for adults and RM30 for children.

SS Purple League 2018/19 Quarter Final Results (Final Rounds)
(4pm) Kepong BC 10-4 Serdang BC
MS1 Joo Ven SOONG lost to Jun Hao LEONG 2-3 (11-5 5-11 10-11 11-6 10-11)
WS Jin Jing QIN won Yawen WEI 3-0 (11-5 11-9 11-7)
MD Mohd Arif AB LATIF-Nur Mohd Azriyn AYUB won Sheng Hao LWI-Mohd Syazmil Idham ZAINAL ABIDIN 3-0 (11-9 11-8 11-5)
XD Mads Conrad PETERSEN – Qian Qian WU won Lin LIU- Qar Siong YAP 2-1 (11-10 8-11 11-7)
MS2 Chi Wing LIM lwn Tze Yong NG (Not played)

(Starting 8pm) Terbrau City BC vs Petaling BC
MS1 Adulrach NAMKUL vs Jan O’ JORGENSEN
WS Wei XU vs Pui Yin YIP
MD Peeranat BOONTUN- Boonsak PONSANA vs Wei Chong MAN- Chun Kang SHIA
XD Jinn Hwa TAN- Koong Le, Pearly TAN vs Tang Jie CHEN- Yen Wei PECK
MS2 Seng Zoe YEOH vs June Wei CHEAM

About Malaysia Purple League
Founded in 2013, Malaysia Purple League is a competition platform in support of the Malaysian badminton effort by helping to develop and polish the skills of Malaysian badminton players to raise the level of competitive badminton in Malaysia. The league is an initiative that provides players of all levels, both professionals and amateurs, with an opportunity to gain invaluable competition experience, and concurrently strives to engage retired national greats to guide and inspire a new generation of champions. For more information, visit Malaysia Purple League website at http://www.purpleleague.com/