29 Oct PLJ2018: Ampang Jaya BC neck and neck with Bukit Cheras BC in the race for Division One title

The race for the Purple League Junior (PLJ) 2018 is heating up as favourites, Ampang Jaya Badminton Club (BC) showed their credentials to stay within touching distance of leaders Bukit Cheras Badminton Club (BC) at the summit of Division One after the conclusion of Match Day 3 at the Sports Arena Puchong today.

Led by world junior call ups, Ng Tze Yong in the men’s singles and Chia Wei Jie (mixed doubles), Ampang Jaya BC displayed their full arsenal to trash Petaling Badminton Badminton Club (BC) winning all their matches in the process.

Ampang Jaya BC certainly lived up to their name as one of the the teams to watch this season, buoyed by the generous RM2 million war chest from their sponsors for both the junior and senior teams.

Tze Yong, bound for the world juniors in Canada early next month, got the ball rolling when he effortlessly defeated Par Tien Ann, 3-0 (11-6, 11-7, 11-7) in 25 mins. Goh Yi Xuan-Ng Wan Win then conceded one point to Dylyvya Saha Davincy Saha-Erika Vallensia  in the girl’s doubles, 3-1 (11-3, 11-7, 7-11, 11-5) in 22 mins.

Chia Wei Jie-Ho Lo Ee continued to assert superiority for the Ampang based outfit winning 3-0 (11-5, 11-8, 11-5) over Choong Hon Jian-Dylyvya Saha Davincy Saha in the mixed doubles. Chinese import, Chen Lu atoned for last weekend’s disappointment by defeating Myisha Khairul, 3-1 (9-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-10).

Fathkul Rozzi-Liu Zeqing wrapped up proceedings to seal an emphatic 15-2 scoreline when they trounced Mohd Hafiz Mohd Sikkander-Yeong Wai Ken, 3-0 (11-3, 11-8, 11-6) in 20 mins.

The two week break certainly had done wonders for the team as they resumed their campaign with a flourish, now trailing Bukit Cheras BC by one point with 50 points in the nine team league.

“The two weeks break has certainly helped us in our preparation. The result was the 15-2 win that we saw today,” said coach Ho Khek Mong.

“Our girl’s singles (Chen Lu) has also recovered after her injury last week which saw us concede crucial points in two of her matches,” added Khek Mong.

Earlier in the day, the Division Two round of matches saw newcomers, Kuantan Synergy BC closed the gap on pace setters, Amanjaya BC after winning 15-4 over Georgetown BC.

Their coach, Ivan Yee said, “All our players are ready in all aspects to face the Purple League Junior 2018. I am very satisfied with their performance shown thus far by my players.

“This is first time we are participating in a tournament that is also a platform for exposure of young talents. My hope is for them to maintain their performance until the end of the league to emerge champions of the PLJ this season,” added Ivan.

In the other four Division Two matches, Klang Rising BC lost 7-11 to Ayer Itam BC, PGBC overcame Desa Petaling BC 11-7, Tebrau City lost 8-13 to Amanjaya BC and Serdang BC defeated Ipoh BC 10-9.