GENTING HIGHLANDS (25 January 2019): It’s Puchong United Badminton Club (PUBC) vs Kepong Badminton Club (Kepong BC) in the final again this Sunday after overcoming their respective opponents in the semi-finals of the SS Purple League 2018/19, Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting, today.Defending champions, PUBC who defeated Kepong BC 10-8 in last season’s finale, booked their place in the showpiece event after overcoming Petaling Badminton Club (Petaling BC) 10-7 while Kepong BC overcame Ampang Jaya Badminton Club (AJBC) 12-8.

In PUBC’s match, new signing, Jan O Jorgensen threatened to spoil the party when he overcame Liew Daren, who was back in action after an injury in last week’s Malaysia Masters, 3-1 (11-5, 10-11, 11-5, 11-10) for Petaling BC to draw first blood.

Women’s singles, Yap Pui Yin from Hong Kong then extended Petaling BC’s lead to 6-3 after winning her match 3-2 (7-11, 11-5, 7-11, 11-10) over Xuan Deng from China.

Malaysian-Korean men’s pair, Tan Boon Heong-Kim Sa Rang then got PUBC’s campaign back on track when they trounced Man Wei Chong-Shia Chun Kang, 3-0 (11-10, 11-8, 11-10) to draw level at 6-6.

Mixed doubles pairing, Eom Hye Won from Korea and Malaysian, Mak Hee Chun then forged PUBC 9-6 ahead when they easily won 3-0 (11-7, 11-6, 11-6) over Chen Tang Jie-Peck Yen Wei.

Needing only one point to secure their passage, Lee Cheuk Yiu from Hong Kong duly obliged, winning the second game 11-8 after losing the first 9-11, with the match against Cheam June Wei halted after

PUBC reached an unassailable lead of 10-8.

PUBC manager, Irina Inozemtseva said, “Truthfully, this is the toughest SSPL semi-final that we had to face. This happened when we saw Liew Daren struggling with injury and when he lost, the effects were felt by the other players,” she said.

Commenting about the match against Kepong BC in the final, Irina said, “We always face drama in all our matches, but in the end we always win. I am excited to face Kepong BC in the final to see how far they can challenge us,” she added.

Kepong BC were not given a ghost of a chance against AJBC who won all their seven matches on the trot in Stage 1 thus receiving a bye through to the semis, whereas Kepong BC had to go through Stage 2 and had to overcome Serdang Badminton Club (Serdang BC) 10-4 in the quarter finals yesterday.

But playing an extra game yesterday gave Kepong BC an extra edge today and they duly took advantage, winning four of their matches with an identical 3-2 scoreline, with the final men’s singles not played.
Opening men’s singles, Soong Joo Ven got the ball rolling for Kepong BC when he upset AJBC’s new signing, Brice Leverdez from France, 3-2 (11-5, 11-7, 6-11, 9-11, 11-8).

Women’s singles, Qin Jing Jing from China then extended their lead with a 3-2 (11-8, 11-8, 4-11, 5-11, 4-2) after the end of 30 minutes regulation time, over Hanna Ramadini from Indonesia.

New signing, Conrad Mads Petersen from Denmark again did the trick, this time partnering Rian Agung Saputro from Indonesia in the men’s doubles to win 3-2 (11-7, 9-11, 11-7, 9-11, 5-2) over Chooi Kah Ming-Low Juan Shen.

Then it was time for Malaysian-Indonesian mixed doubles pair, Cheah Yee See-Ricky Karandasuwardi to deal the final blow, with a 3-2 (11-9, 8-11, 11-6, 9-11, 11-9) victory over Hong Kong-Indonesian pair, Chau Hoi Wah-Lukhi Apri Nugroho.

AJBC who ended Stage 1 on top will feel hard done by as they had to do without national men’s singles, Lee Zii Jia and women’s singles ace, Goh Jin Wei who were competing in the Indonesia Masters running concurrently.

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 Semi Final Results (Final Rounds)
(4pm) Ampang Jaya BC 8-12 Kepong BC
MS1 Brice LEVERDEZ lost Joo Ven SOONG 2-3 (5-11 7-11 11-6 11-9 8-11)
WS Hanna RAMADINI lost Jin Jing QIN 2-3 (8-11 8-11 11-4 11-5 2-4)
MD Kah Ming CHOOI-Juan Shen LOW lost Mads Conrad PETERSEN- Rian Agung SAPUTRO 2-3 (7-11 11-9 7-11 11-9 2-5)
XD Hoi Wah CHAU-Lukhi Apri NUGROHO lost Yee See CHEAH- Ricky KARANDASUWARDI 2-3 (9-11 11-8 6-11 11-9 9-11)
MS2 Jia Wei TAN vs Chi Wing LIM (Not Played)

(8pm) Petaling BC 7-10 Puchong United BC
MS1 Jan O’ JORGENSEN mng Daren LIEW 3-1 (11-5 10-11 11-5 11-10)
WS Pui Yin YIP mng Xuan DENG 3-2 (7-11 11-5 7-11 11-10 3-2)
MD Wei Chong MAN- Chun Kang SHIA kk Sa Rang KIM- Boon Heong TAN 0-3 (10-11 8-11 10-11)
XD Tang Jie CHEN- Yen Wei PECK kk Hyewon EOM- Hee Chun MAK 0-3 (7-11 6-11 6-11)
MS2 June Wei CHEAM seri Cheuk Yiu LEE 1-1 (11-9 8-11)

Jadual SS Purple League (Sabtu, 26 Januari 2019)

12pm- Penentuan Tempat ke-5/6
Sedang BC lwn Tebrau City BC

3pm- Penentuan Tempat ke-3/4
Ampang Jaya BC lwn Petaling BC

Jadual SS Purple League (Ahad, 27 Januari 2019)

3pm- Final
Kepong BC lwn Puchong United BC

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/