Genting: Kepong BC made a superb comeback on Saturday after trailing 0-1 at one point as they defeated strong contender Cheras BC 16-7 in the semi-finals of the Purple League Champions Challenge.
Nur Azriyn Ayup of Kepong suffered a 9-11, 11-7, 6-11, 4-11 defeat to 2003 All England Champion Mohd Hafiz Hashim of Cheras in the first men’s singles, allowing Cheras to open the tie with a 3-1 lead.
The second game was played between Liang Xiao Yu of Kepong and Sarita Suwanakijboriharn of Cheras. Singaporean Liang Xiao Yu continued her dominance performance since yesterday’s quarter-finals, pulled off a hard-fought 3-1 victory to put Kepong back to the driver’s seat at 4-4.
Kepong’s Tan Boon Heong and Ow Yao Han emerged victorious in the first men’s doubles event against Mohd Hafizi Hashim-Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif to open up the lead for Kepong at 7-4.
“Our strategy today was to attack Hafizi because he is less experienced, and it works,” said Boon Heong.
In a keenly-fought mixed doubles match between Hendra Gunawan-Mei Qili of Kepong and Razif Abd Latif/Soong Fei Cho of Cheras, cheered by the spectators who enjoyed every bit of the rallies and powerful smashes, the Kepong duo finished the match 3-2 in 49 minutes.
Later, the second men’s singles Goh Soon Huat of Kepong blasted past Sim Fong Hao 3-0, while Low Juan Sheng/Soo Kar Seong maintained the momentum throughout the second men’s doubles match to trounce Mohd Lutfi Zaim Abdul Khalid/Trawut Potieng 3-1,steering Kepong into the final of the Purple League Champions Challenge.
In another semi-final, the red-hot Muar City BC stormed into the final with a thumping 15-9 win against Puchong United BC on Saturday.
Muar City BC will square off with Kepong BC at 2:00 PM on Sunday for the first and second place, while Puchong United BC will take on Cheras BC at 10am on Sunday for the third and fourth place.
