Kuala Lumpur: A fired-up Zulfadli Zulkifli showed his class to lift Cheras BC over Klang United BC after the scores were tied at 7-7 going in to the last match between Zulkifli and Sukamta on Saturday.
The 22-year-old former world junior champion Zulfadli Zulkifli was on a totally different level, showing off his quickness, efficiency and accuracy to deliver the final three points for Cheras, beating Evert Sukamta 11 – 5, 11 – 5, 11 – 2 to end the tie 10-7 in favor of Cheras BC.
Klang United BC’s 17-year-old Leong Jun Hao got off to a strong start as he shocked World No. 75 Soong Joo Ven in straight sets 11-9 11-9, 11-6, giving Klang United a 3-0 advantage.
In the women’s singles, former Singaporean player Zhang Bei Wen who is currently residing in USA, added three more points for Klang United with her 11-5, 11-9, 8-11, 11-4 win over Cheras BC’s Febby Angguni.
Former Malaysia national players, Mohd Razif Ab Latif and Ng Hui Lin bought Cheras BC some breathing room when they beat Muhamad Hakem Norrazi and Yap Yee of Klang United BC in mixed doubles with 11-7, 11-7, 11-8 to close the gap for Cheras at 4-6.
Riding the renewed energy and winning spirit, Cheras BC’s men’s doubles pair Mohamad Arif Ab Latif and Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub leveled the tie with their 11-6, 11-10, 6-10, 11-8 win over Alwi Mahardika Sabar/Karyaman Gutama Klang United before Zulkifli concluded the tie in the second men’s singles match.
Later Saturday, the No. 7 team in the league Ampang Jaya Badminton Club put up strong resistance as they won their last regular season tie with 11-8 against No. 5 team Petaling BC.
The regular season champions of Purple League will receive a cash prize of RM1 million, followed with second place RM400,000; third RM200,000; fourth RM 100,000; fifth RM90,000 ; sixth RM 80,000; seventh RM70,000; eight RM60,000; ninth RM50,000 and tenth RM 40,000.
