06 Jan Defending Champions End Phase 1 on a Winning Note

Petaling Jaya Badminton Club (BC) picked the right time to end their two-game losing streak as they defeated Kepong BC 12-11 during their SS Purple League 2017/18 Phase 1 match at the Sports Arena Sentosa, Old Klang Road earlier today.

Petaling Jaya BC won the first men’s singles match as Goh Giap Chin edged Kepong BC’s Muhd Nuraidil Ahda 3-2 (10-11, 11-4, 11-7, 9-11, 11-6). But Kepong BC quickly put a foothold on the game and took the lead thanks to Ho Yen Mei’s dominating performance in the women’s singles match, beating Petaling Jaya BC’s Lee Zii Yii 3-1 (11-7, 11-9, 10-11, 11-6).

Petaling Jaya BC’s K. Yogendran returns a shot from his opponent while his mixed doubles partner, Goh Yea Ching looks on during their SSPL 2017/18 Phase 1 match against Kepong BC at the Sports Arena Sentosa, Old Klang Road today.

Kepong BC went further ahead courtesy of their men’s doubles pair’s come-from-behind victory. Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub and Tan Chee Tean beat Petaling Jaya BC’s Jagdish Singh and Low Juan Shen 3-2 (11-6, 9-11, 10-11, 11-10, 11-6) in the third match of the tie.

But Goh Yea Ching and K. Yogendran offered Petaling Jaya BC a lifeline by recording a stunning 3-1 (9-11, 11-9, 11-10, 11-8) win over Kepong BC’s pair of Cheah Yee See and Goh Soon Huat in the mixed doubles match.

Hong Kong international, Lee Cheuk Yiu then wrapped up the win for Petaling Jaya BC as he edged Kepong BC’s Lim Chi Wing 3-2 (5-11, 11-6, 9-11, 11-9, 11-8) in a winner-takes-all second men’s singles match.

“It feels good to win the last game as we initially marked this game as 50-50. We should have won it earlier as Lee Cheuk Yiu is suited for the fast-paced matches but we did not see that today,” said Petaling Jaya BC’s team manager, Yeoh Kay Lun.

“We actually have a good squad, just that we made too many mistakes in our last few games. We train everyday yet they make common mistakes which came back to haunt us. I hope they can change their mentality and attitude heading into the Phase 2,” added Yeoh.

Both Kepong BC and Petaling Jaya BC have already qualified for the SSPL 2017/18 Finals as results from yesterday’s matches went their way.

SSPL 2017/18 Phase 1 Results (6/1/2018)
(4pm) Petaling Jaya BC bt Kepong BC 12-11
MS2: Goh Giap Chin bt Muhd Nuraidil Adha Azman 3-2 (10-11, 11-4, 11-7, 9-11, 11-6)
WS: Lee Zii Yii lost to Ho Yen Mei 1-3 (7-11, 9-11, 11-10, 6-11)
MD: Jagdish Singh Dhanoa-Low Juan Shen lost to Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub-Tan Chee Tean 2-3 (6-11, 11-9, 11-10, 10-11, 6-11)
XD: Goh Yea Ching-K. Yogendran bt Cheah Yee See-Goh Soon Huat 3-1 (9-11, 11-9, 11-10, 11-8)
MS1: Lee Cheuk Yiu bt Lim Chi Wing 3-2 (5-11, 11-6, 9-11, 11-9, 11-8)