26 Jan KEPONG BC UPSETS AJBC FOR SECOND CONSECUTIVE FINAL APPEARANCE IN SSPL

Last edition’s runners up, Kepong Badminton Club (Kepong BC) upset star studded, Ampang Jaya Badminton Club (AJBC), 12-8 in the semi-finals to make it back to back finals in the SS Purple League.

Finalists, 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 at the Final Rounds venue, Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting 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.

Kepong BC head coach, Zakry Latif said, “Alhamdulilah, I am happy that my players displayed a good fighting spirit to win.

Our target is to take advantage of the absence of a few top players from Ampang Jaya BC just now. Actually our target all along is to reach the final and since we have already achieved it, we hope to become the champions of SSPL, “ said Zakry during the post-match interview.

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.

Opening men’s singles, Soong Joo Ven got the ball rolling for Kepong BC when he upset AJBC’s new signing, France’s no. 1, Brice Leverdez, 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.

From the quarter finals onwards, ties will end once a team reaches an unassailable lead with Kepong BC marching on to a final match up on Sunday with either Puchong United Badminton Club (PUBC) in a repeat of last season’s finale which saw PUBC win 10-8 or Petaling BC which will be decided in the second semi-final tonight.