THT retain TNB Cup for fourth time

Kuala Lumpur (26 February, 2017): Terengganu Hockey Team signed off the TNBMHL 2017 season with a fine performance at the Tun Razak Hockey Stadium today.

Sarjit Singh’s THT retained the TNB Cup for the fourth consecutive year since 2014 following a 5-4 win over and Charity Shield and Premier League champions Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club in penalty shootout after both teams were tied 4-4 in regulation time.

As the TNB Cup final ended in a draw in full time, both teams shared the total prize of RM160,00O (RM80,000 each).

It was a glorious night for THT when they received the trophy from Terengganu Menteri Besar, YAB Haji Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman in front of an estimated 4,500 fans - of which almost 2,000 fans arrived in buses from the east coast state and those residing in the capital city.

The TNB Cup victory is THT’s second triumph in the 2017 hockey season after claiming the Tan Sri P. Alagendra Cup in January.

“The tournament is getting tougher by the year. We need to buy at least two or three new players. As for Jang, this is his third season with us and he is a key player and we will need him more in future,” said Sarjit.

“We knew we could make a comeback and we did just that. I am very proud of my players who played a great game against KLHC, who without doubt, are playing much better each game. They have always been a tough team to beat in this league,” added Sarjit.

Germany’s Anton Poul Fritz Ebeling once again proved to be a bane to THT.  The German, who scored the winning goal in KLHC’s 3-2 victory over THT in the last match of the Premier League which landed the KL outfit the title after a three-year wait, once again fired his side ahead with the opening goal in the ninth minute.

Korean Jang Jonghyun, however, lifted THT back into the game with the equaliser four minutes later via a penalty corner but drag-flick specialist Muhammad Razie Abdul Rahim shot KLHC 2-1 ahead and Ebeling returned to score his second goal of the night as KLHC stretched their lead to 3-1.

In one of the most enthralling matches between the two heavyweights, it was THT who twice came back to level 3-3 through Jang – first via a penalty stroke in the 35th minute and the second through a penalty corner in the 49th minute.

The drama fast tracked into total entertainment after this with the two teams matching each other's game, keeping the spectators at the stadium riveted from hooter to hooter.

KLHC once again dictated terms to go 4-3 up through Mohd Syamim Mohd Yusof off a penalty stroke in the 53rd minute. Though KLHC dominated the last moments in the fourth quarter with the ball possession, they couldn't quite make much of it as some of their ambitious attempts at scoring was promptly denied by goalkeeper Muhammad Hafizuddin Othman.

But a stroke of luck saw THT rebound to level 4-4 through Nicolas Enrique Della Torre with just three minutes remaining on the clock to take the game into penalty shootout.

SSTMI Berjaya Pertahan Kejuaraan

KUALA KANGSAR (26 Februari, 2017): Pasukan Sekolah Tunku Mahkota Ismail (SSTMI) terus membuktikan kewibawaan mereka dalam Kejohanan Ragbi MCKK Premier 7s 2017     apabila berjaya membenam cabaran Sekolah Sukan Hong Kong (SSHK) 38-10 di perlawanan akhir yang berlangsung di padang ragbi MCKK sebentar tadi.

Kejuaraan kali ini juga adalah yang keempat buat pasukan dari Bandar Penawar itu dalam kejohanan Ragbi MCKK Premier 7s setelah pernah menjulang trofi NJ Ryan sebelum ini pada tahun 2011, 2012 dan 2016.

SSTMI bermula garang menerusi larian kencang Mohd Shah Fikri Osman yang menyempurnakan try pertama pasukan itu disusuli coversion oleh Hafizie Sudin untuk pasukan itu di depan 7-0.

Namun SSHK tidak mudah mengalah apabila pantas bangkit menghasilkan try pertama mereka bagi merapatkan kedudukan kepada 5-7. Selepas itu, giliran SSHK sekali lagi mendapat try kedua untuk mereka pula di depan dengan keputusan 10-7 mendahului SSTMI.

Perlawanan semakin rancak selepas itu. Kali ini SSTMI pula kembali mendahului SSHK menerusi menerusi try Muhd Helmie Iezlan Azmi menjadikan keputusan 12-10 mengakhiri separuh masa pertama permainan.

Bermula separuh masa kedua, Amir Danial Ross Effendy terus mengukuhkan pasukannya selepas pemain itu berjaya mendapatkan mata menerusi try untuk pasukan SSTMI mendahului 17-10.

SSTMI terus garang dengan memperoleh try keempat oleh Eddie Arrif Ferdaus Freedy disusuli coversion untuk SSTMI semakin garang di depan dengan kedudukan 24-10.

Tidak puas dengan itu, Suhairi Efendi Othman pula menyudahkan try kelima dan satu lagi coversion berjaya disudahkan menjadikan SSTMI semakin selesa mendahului SSHK 31-10.

Eddie Arrif Ferdaus Freedy terus menambah duka pasukan SSHK apabila dia sekali lagi berjaya membuat larian deras menewaskan pemain lawan diikuti coversion untuk SSTMI meninggalkan pasukan itu jauh di depan 38-10.

Keputusan itu kekal sehingga tamat masa permainan sekaligus menobatkan SSTMI sebagai penjulang trofi NJ Ryan sekali lagi pada tahun ini.

Jurulatih SSTMI, Syed Shazril Syed Mahadzir mengakui puas dengan kejayaan mengekalkan kejuaraan dan berazam untuk terus mempertahankan kejuaraan lagi pada edisi tahun hadapan.

Syed Shazril berkata, “Saya bersyukur kita dapat mengekalkan kejuaraan dan ini juga kejuaraan kali keempat buat pasukan serta kedua buat diri saya yang mengambil alih pasukan dari tahun 2014.

“Kami menjangkakan saingan sengit tetapi saya tahu Hong Kong tidak akan bertahan dalam cuaca panas jadi kelebihan adalah pada pasukan SSTMI dengan kecergasan pemain juga baik cuma mulanya saya agak risau mereka akan mengikut corak permainan pasukan lawan,” ujarnya selepas tamat perlawanan sebentar tadi.

Dalam penentuan tempat ke 3/4 kategori Cup, empat try dan satu coversion dari SMK Sri Mersing (SMSM) cukup untuk pasukan itu menang ke atas tuan rumah, Kolej Melayu Kuala Kangsar (MCKK) dengan keputusan 22-5 sekaligus meraih tempat ketiga dalam kejohanan tahun ini.

Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan King Edward VII (KEVII) pula mengungguli kategori Plate. Mereka mengatasi English College dari Johor dengan keputusan 17-0.

Bagi kategori Bowl, pasukan dari Putrajaya iaitu Sekolah Sultan Alam Shah (SAS) pula menghampakan Vajiravudh College (VC) dalam final. SAS menang 31-10 ke atas pasukan dari Thailand itu.

Kategori Shield pula dimenangi oleh pasukan SMK King George V (KGV) selepas mereka menumpaskan Sekolah Menengah Sains Selangor (SMSS) dengan keputusan 31-15 dalam perlawanan akhir.

Penyampaian hadiah disempurnakan oleh Raja Muda Perak, Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Raja Jaafar Ibni Almarhum Raja Muda Musa yang berkenan mencemar duli menyaksikan perlawanan di padang Ragbi MCKK.

Ebeling late strike lands KLHC Premier League title

Kuala Lumpur (19 February, 2017): Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC) lifted the TNBMHL 2017 Premier League title following a 3-2 victory over three-time champions Terengganu Hockey Team (THT) at the Kuala Lumpur HA Stadium today.

And it was Germany’s Anton Poul Fritz Ebeling who turned the night into a harrowing moment for Sarjit Singh’s THT who were aiming for their fourth consecutive title since 2014.

Both teams were tied at 2-2 by the 51^st minute and THT was well on the way to their fourth title as all the east coast side needed was a draw to pull away from KLHC as they had a 21-goal advantage over the 2013 champions prior to the start of the match after sharing 33-equal points.

But KLHC were all fired up and went on the offensive in the final lap of the match, earned a penalty corner with five seconds remaining to the hooter and Fritz Ebeling turned the ball into goal to give KLHC victory once again after a four-year wait.

It was KLHC who surprised THT with a seventh minute field goal through Muhammad Noor Faaez Ibrahim but Korean Jang Jonghyun rose to the occasion once again to score his 18^th penalty corner goal in the league to draw level at 1-1 before Nabil Fiqri doubled the score for KLHC in the 43^rd minute.

In one of the most entertaining match fans had seen between the two sides, THT clawed back with a 51^st minute equaliser through Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin Tengku Abdul Jalil, giving hope of a THT victory until Fritz Ebeling’s devilish intervention dashed all hopes.

In Tuesday’s semi-finals for the TNB Cup, KLHC goes into showdown with fourth place Tenaga Nasional Berhad whilst THT takes on University Kuala Lumpur at the Tun Razak Stadium.

“This victory has been very sweet for me personally and KLHC. Since the first match of the League, I have been preparing the team for today’s crucial tie. THT are a highly respected side in the league and a win over them today calls for celebration,” said KLHC head coach Muhammad Harun Alrashid Samri.

UniKL finished third in the Premier Division following a 1-0 victory over Tenaga Nasional Berhad in an earlier match at the KLHA Stadium whilst in Malacca, Maybank defeated University Teknologi MARA-KPT (UiTM) 3-1 at the Bukit Serindit Hockey Stadium to claim fifth place in the League.

TNB Thunderbolts suffered a 2-1 defeat against Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI) in Bandar Penawar to finish sixth with 13 points followed by SSTMI (5) and UiTM-KPT is at the bottom with two points.

TNB had only themselves to blame as they squandered eight penalty corners – with two in the final three minutes of the match against UniKL.

But credit must go to UniKl who pocketed RM40,000 for their effort as they played a good tactical and disciplined game to outwit the more experienced TNB side.

“It is a good win and one that I hope will boost the confidence of the players as we head for the semi-finals," said UniKL coach A. Arul Selvaraj. “Credit must go to the players for their determination and our defenders too played a key role.”

UniKL were without defender Baljit Singh who had a sore hamstring and will be rested for Tuesday’s semi-finals for the TNB Cup. Also left today out was Pakistani defender Muhammad Aleem Bilal who was down with fever and flu.

But the university side played to their strength, attacking and defending in numbers. UniKL took the lead in the 12th minute through a penalty corner converted by Najmi Farizal Jazlan.

TNB could have equalised just before the end of the first quarter but the penalty corner attempt by Shahril Sabah was blocked by UniKL goalkeeper Thomas Santiago.

Try as they did, TNB just could not find a way past the Argentinean goalkeeper in the UniKL goal.

‘24 Carat Magic in the Air’

Kuala Lumpur (17 February, 2017): Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC) and Terengganu Hockey Team (THT) will decide for the 2017 TNBMHL Premier League title at the Kuala Lumpur Hockey Stadium on Sunday.

Three-time champions THT defeated Maybank 5-2 at the Batu Buruk Hockey Stadium in Kuala Terengganu today whilst KLHC edged Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) 3-1 at the KLHA Stadium. Both teams share 33-equal points after 12 matches and go head to head into Sunday last fixture of the Premier League.

Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin set the platform in THT’s win with a 10^th minute penalty corner goal before Korean Jang Jonghyun made it 3-0 in the 12^th and 17^th minutes via penalty corners and Muhammad Firhan Ashaari added the fourth a minute into the third quarter from open play.

Maybank, who are placed in fifth position in the eight-team league, reduced the deficit with goals from Jang Soon Chan (32^nd) and Jeremy Edwards (47^th) but THT, who are eyeing a fourth consecutive Premier League title since 2014, made it 5-2 through Ameer Aiman Mohammad Saberi with four minutes remaining on the clock.

“My players know how crucial Sunday’s game is going to be against THT in our chase for the title. We are almost there and knowing that THT have a 21-goal advantage over us so the only way to the title is to win three points,” said KLHC coach Muhammad Harun Alrashid Samri.

As for UniKL, they need to beat Tenaga Nasional Berhad on Sunday to take third spot in the league. TNB moved up to third spot on 25 points – two ahead of UniKL following a 10-0 thrashing of Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School at the KLHA Stadium.

“It boils down to our last match against TNB irrespective of the result today,” said UniKL coach A. Arul Selvaraj. “The boys tried hard but lapses in concentration caused us dear and we were punished. We need to cut down on silly mistakes and not give away possession too easily.”

Both teams were awarded penalty corners in the first half but could not make good use of it. Pakistani Muhammad Umar Bhutta put KLHC ahead in the 14^th minute when he was the first to the ball after a run from the right by Razie Rahim, giving goalkeeper Khairul Nizam Ibrahim no chance with a hefty shot.

KLHA almost doubled their advantage in the 18^th minute but the attempt of the third penalty corner was saved on the line by Zul Pidaus Mizun.

UniKL were on level terms against the run of play in the 28^th minute as Faridzul Afiq Mohd sneaked behind the defence to deflect the ball past goalkeeper Roslan Jamaluddin.

But seconds later KLHC took the lead when Najmi Farizal Jazlan lost the ball and a quick counter saw attack saw Casey Hammod Dawson having a simple task of scoring after Khairul's rebound fell in front of him. Anton Poul Fritz Ebeling weaved past a static defence to put the ball past substitute keeper Thomas Santiago to give KLHC a 3-1 lead in the 50th minute.

As for TNB, the big-margin win celebration will be put on hold until Sunday’s last and crucial league match against UniKL which will determine which of the two teams will finish third.

Norsyafiq Sumantri scored a hat-trick for TNB (13^th, 36^th and 52^nd minutes) PC) and Muhammad Shahril Saabah netted a double (6^th, PC and 51^st PC) whilst Mohamad Zulhamizan Awang Abas (11^th, FG), Muhammad Firdaus Omar (27^th, FG), Syed Mohamad Shafiq Syed Cholan (32^nd, PC), Nik Muhammad Aiman Nik Rozemi (38^th, PC) and Muhamad Aminudin Mohd Zain scored a piece.

For SSTMI, it was the second time in the league that the Bandar Penawar-based

sports school suffered a big defeat. They were also beaten 10-0 by THT three weeks ago.

Petaling Jaya BC Crowned SSPL 2016/17 Champions!

GENTING HIGHLANDS (12 FEBRUARY, 2017): Petaling Jaya BC is in dreamland after being crowned champions of the SS Purple League (SSPL) 2016/17 season as they beat a star-studded Puchong United BC side 13-9 in the SS Purple League (SSPL) 2016/17 Final at the Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting earlier today. 

Petaling Jaya almost got off to a dream start after their men’s singles player, Dani Harsheel Alpesh raced to a two set lead in the first men’s singles match. But his Puchong United opponent, Chou Tien Chen clawed his way back into the game as he bounced back and claim a 3-2 win over the spirited Dani Harsheel.

World Number 1, Tai Tzu Ying too suffered a similar scare as she went two sets down to Petaling’s Deng Xuan in their women’s singles match. However she regained her composure to take the match 3-2 and put Puchong 2 points ahead of their opponents.

But it was Petaling Jaya who reclaimed the lead after the men’s doubles match thanks to their pair, Kim Sa Rang and Koo Kien Keat. The two continued their excellent partnership as the charismatic Sa Rang complemented Kien Keat’s aggressive style of play to gun down their Puchong United opponents, Lim Khim Wah and Tan Chee Tean in straight sets (3-0).

And that proved to be the turning point for Petaling Jaya as they went on to win the next two games to record a famous victory and secure their first SSPL trophy.

Woon Khe Wei and Shin Baek Cheol recorded a priceless 3-1 victory over their Puchong United opponents Christinna Pedersen and Yoo Yeon Seong in the mixed doubles match. Needing only to win one point in the last match, it was captain Goh Giap Chin who once again delivered the championship point for Petaling Jaya as he won his match against Soo Teck Zhi 3-2.  

“It is a fantastic feeling to win because we are the underdogs and we managed to beat teams like Petaling, BU Dragons and now Puchong United who all have superstars in their respective teams. But we have hardworking players who possess the ‘never-say-die’ attitude such as Giap Chin, Koo Kien Keat who led by example and Deng Xuan who contributed vital points for us,” said Petaling Jaya’s team manager, Manoj Kumar.

Earlier, last year’s champions Muar BC pipped BU Dragons BC to third place after coming out on top in their SSPL 2016/17 3^rd/4^th Playoff match today at the Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting. Led by captain, Zulfadli Zukiffli, Muar won the match comfortably with a 11-6 score line.

He got the ball rolling for the Johor side after edging BU Dragons’ Danish international, Emil Holst by the narrowest of margins (3-2) in their first men’s singles match. However BU Dragons’ American import, Zhang Beiwen restored parity for her team beating Muar’s Shen Ya Ying 3-2 as well.

Muar’s star man and Korean international, Lee Yong Dae helped put his side in cruise control after the men’s doubles match. Yong Dae alongside Tan Wee Gieen beat BU Dragons’ Mak Hee Chun and Ou Xuanyi in straight sets.

Chan Peng Soon and Lee Hyo Jung then wrapped up then win for their Muar side after overcoming BU Dragons’ Chow Pak Chuu and Yap Zhen in the mixed doubles match, winning the match 3-1.

“As defending champions, we are obviously not satisfied with third place because we aimed to retain our title. But whatever the outcome we are glad to fight as a team in the Muar BC side,” said Muar’s team manager, M. Jivannathan.   

SS Purple League 2016/17 Stage 2 Results

Final (2pm)

Puchong United BC lost to Petaling Jaya BC 9-13

MS1: Chou Tien Chen bt Dani Harsheel Alpesh 3-2 (6-11, 8-11, 11-3, 11-7, 11-8)

WS: Tai Tzu Ying bt Deng Xuan 3-2 (10-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-8, 5-0)

MD: Lim Khim Wah-Tan Chee Tean lost to Kim Sarang-Koo Kien Keat 0-3 (5-11, 9-11, 9-11)

XD: Christinna Pedersen-Yoo Yeon Seong lost to Shin Baek Cheol-Woon Khe Wei 1-3 (11-5, 8-11, 9-11, 8-9)

MS2: Soo Teck Zhi lost to Goh Giap Chin 2-3 (4-11, 8-11, 11-7, 11-9, 8-11)

3^rd/4^th Playoff (10am)

Muar BC bt BU Dragons BC 11-6

MS1: Zulfadli Zulkiffli bt Emil Holst 3-2 (9-11, 11-8, 4-11, 11-8, 2-1)

WS: Shen Ya Ying lost to Zhang Beiwen 2-3 (8-11, 10-11, 11-10, 11-5, 7-11)

MD: Lee Yong Dae-Tan Wee Gieen bt Mak Hee Chun-Ou Xuanyi 3-0 (11-8, 11-7, 11-9)

XD: Chan Peng Soon-Lee Hyo Jung bt Chow Pak Chuu-Yap Zhen 3-1 (11-9, 6-11, 11-9, 11-6)

Roll of Honour

Champions: Petaling Jaya BC

Runners-up: Puchong United BC

Second Runners-up: Muar BC

Third Runners-up: BU Dragons BC

Fifth Place: Petaling BC

Sixth Place: Ampang Jaya BC

Seventh Place: Kepong BC

Eighth Place: Serdang BC

Ninth Place: Bangsar Hawks BCb>

Tenth Place: Klang City BC

Puchong United & Petaling Jaya Eyes Grand Prize

GENTING HIGHLANDS (11 February, 2017): Both SS Purple League (SSPL) 2016/17 finalists, Puchong United BC and Petaling Jaya BC will be looking to go all out as they look to claim their first SSPL title after securing a place in Sunday’s final at Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting.

In last year’s edition, Petaling Jaya finished runners-up while Puchong United came in third place.

However this season Puchong United knocked out defending champions Muar BC as they won the clash 11-4 while Petaling Jaya qualified for the final after scrapping past debutants BU Dragons BC through the narrowest of points margin as their match finished 12-12 in yesterday’s semi-finals.

Puchong United’s team manager, Irina Inozemtseva maintained that her Puchong United side has to show respect to their opponents this Sunday, Petaling Jaya despite her team being labelled favourites to win this season’s SSPL by many.

“Our opponent has good fighting spirit. We saw it in the quarter final against Petaling BC and yesterday against BU Dragons BC. It is not easy to beat those two teams and they did it so we have to be cautious. I am sure that the final will be a tight one,” said Irina.

“In addition, they have a strong squad with high quality players such as Goh Giap Chin, Kim Sa Rang, Koo Kien Keat and many others,” she added.

The team manager will be looking to put out her strongest line-up for the final as well in her team’s title bid.

“I watched the semi-finals match between Petaling Jaya and BU Dragons and we will have to reassess and analyse our opponents closely. I will have to also look at my players and pick those I see fit to overcome the challenge posed by our opponents this Sunday,” said the Russian. 

“Whatever it is, I am confident my players will perform in the final. And of course I hope that we will win because it is our dream to be crowned SSPL champions,” added Irina.

Meanwhile, Petaling Jaya’s team manager, Manoj Kumar admitted that his team will be the underdogs for this Sunday’s final.

“Puchong United has a very strong squad, not just on paper but also based on their displays in the knockout rounds. And plus they are strong in all the categories,” said Manoj.

“But we will try to steal as many points as we can. As we learned, it is not always about winning the game but also collecting as many points in each match. Maybe in the men’s doubles match we can win in straight sets and hope that other players do their parts in putting on a good display – something that helped in our win over Petaling BC previously,” added the manager.

Manoj also praised his team captain and singles player, Goh Giap Chin who has been in outstanding form and played a vital role in Petaling Jaya’s route to the final.

“We will go all out to get first place and I hope Giap Chin and once again lead us to the title. We will want to go one better as we only finished runners-up last season,” said Manoj after yesterday’s semi-final win over BU Dragons.

Puchong United and Petaling Jaya will go head to head in the final which will take place in Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting this Sunday at 2pm.

Petaling Ended their SSPL Campaign on a Positive Note

Petaling Ended their SSPL Campaign on a Positive Note

GENTING HIGHLANDS (11 FEBRUARY, 2017): Petaling BC concluded their SS Purple League 2016/17 season on the right note after beating Ampang Jaya BC (10-4) to fifth place in their  SSPL 2016/17 5^th/6^th Playoff match today at the Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting.

Liew Daren made lightweight of his opponent, Ampang Jaya’s Ajay Jayaram, winning 3-1 in the first men’s singles match to ensure that Petaling got off on the right foot. However, the match was quickly levelled as Xu Wei of Ampang Jaya beat Petaling’s Yap Rui Chen with a similar score line (3-1) in the women’s singles match.

Petaling’s youngster Man Wei Chong, guided by Rio Olympic silver medallist, Goh V Shem, helped their team regain the lead after easily beating their Ampang Jaya opponents – Lukhi Nugroho and Muhammad Syawal in straight sets (3-0) in the men’s doubles match.

Pressure was high on Ampang Jaya’s young mixed doubles pair of Anna Cheong and Tan Yip Jiun as they needed to win their match to keep their team in the tie.

However the pressure was too much on the youngsters as Petaling’s pair of Devi Tika Permatasari and Riky Widianto wrapped up the game for their team with a game to spare. The Indonesians won the match 3-0.

“Overall Petaling BC this season is consistently doing well. We were champions in the Junior Purple League and our senior team is very strong - one of the favourites to win but we fell short. However I am still happy, ending the campaign with a win and finishing fifth,” said Petaling’s head coach, Yap Kim Hock.

“We will come back stronger. We didn’t have the likes of Iskandar Zulkarnain and Datuk Wira Lee Chong Wei for Stage 2 but our juniors such as Man Wei Chong and Chen Tang Jie are showing promising signs and they will definitely improve next year,” added Kim Hock.

Meanwhile, Kepong BC secured seventh spot in this season’s SSPL after breezing past Serdang BC in their 7^th/8^th Playoff match earlier today at the Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting. Serdang finished their campaign in eighth while Bangsar Hawks BC came in ninth place. 

SS Purple League 2016/17 Stage 2 Results

5^th/6^th Playoff (8pm): Ampang Jaya BC lost to Petaling BC 4-10

MS1: Ajay Jayaram lost to Liew Daren 1-3 (4-11, 9-11, 11-4, 8-11)

WS: Xu Wei bt Yap Rui Chen 3-1 (11-4, 11-9, 5-11, 11-8)

MD: Lukhi Nugroho-Muhammad Syawal lost to Goh V Shem-Man Wei Chong 0-3 (6-11, 8-11, 8-11)

XD: Anna Cheong-Tan Yip Jiun lost to Devi Tika Permatasari-Riky Widianto 0-3 (8-11, 7-11, 10-11)

7^th/8^th Playoff (4pm): Kepong BC bt Serdang BC 15-2

MS1: Soong Joo Ven bt Sim Fong Hau 3-1 (11-8, 11-4, 9-11, 11-8)

WS: Aprilia Yuswandari bt Shen Yabing 3-1 (9-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-7)

**Serdang BC penalized 9 points as they failed to comply with the players' ranking points system in their line-up - a rule established by Malaysia Purple League at the very start of the tournament.

Petaling Jaya Defied the Odds to Advance into SSPL Final

GENTING HIGHLANDS (10 FEBRUARY, 2017): Goh Giap Chin once again came to Petaling Jaya BC's rescue as he delivered the winning points for his team and sent them into the SS Purple League (SSPL) 2016/17 Stage 2 final at the expense of debutants BU Dragons BC today at the Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting.

BU Dragons started off the better team after winning the first two matches. The Dragons' Hong Kong import, Wei Nan scrapped past Petaling Jaya's Dani Harsheel 3-2 in the first Men's Singles match.

Their Women's Singles, American import Zhang Beiwen too recorded a 3-2 win in her match as she ousted Petaling Jaya's Deng Xuan.

However the tide turned as Petaling Jaya picked up two consecutive wins in the Men's Doubles and Mixed Doubles match. Koo Kien Keat and Kim Sa Rang put on a ruthless display to beat BU 

Dragons' experienced pair of Markis Kido and Mak Hee Chun 3-1.

Petaling Jaya carried their winning momentum into the mixed doubles after Lim Chiew Sien and Korean Shin Baek Cheol picked up an important 3-2 win against Yap Zhen and Chow Pak Chuu of BU Dragons.

In the deciding match, Petaling Jaya's captain, Giap Chin once again kept his cool to secure the necessary points against BU Dragons' Danish import, Emil Holst despite losing the match 2-3 to send his team into a final showdown against Puchong United BC this Sunday.

This Sunday will also be Petaling Jaya’s third appearance in the final after losing out on their previous two occasions in the cup competition.

“I played very well today and I have to credit my team because they fought alongside me,” said Giap Chin.

“BU Dragons are a strong team and they gave us a scare just now. But both teams played really well. We are excited and happy to be back in the final again but we have to refocus for this Sunday’s match, have a good rest and fight in the final against Puchong United,” Petaling Jaya team manager, Manoj Kumar.

A strong team performance by Puchong United BC saw them crush Muar BC’s hopes of winning the SSPL title for the third consecutive season as they ran out 11-4 winners in the first semi-final of the SSPL 2016/17 Stage 2 in Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting earlier today.

Puchong United who lost to top seed Muar in Stage 1, came straight out of the blocks as they raced to a 6-0 lead courtesy of straight sets wins in the first Men's Singles and Women's singles match. It was once again the Chinese Taipei duo, Chou Tien Chen and Tai Tzu Ying doing the damage.

World number 9 Tien Chen breezed past national shuttler, Zulfadli Zulkiffli 3-0 (11-4, 11-7, 11-8) in the first match while world number 1 Tzu Ying came back to haunt her former team by beating Muar's Chinese import, Shen Ya Ying 3-0 (11-7, 11-8, 11-9) as well.

Muar kept their title defence hopes alive - albeit a slim one thanks to their Men’s doubles pair of Lee Yong Dae and Mohd Arif Ab Latif. The pair, making their first appearance of this season's SSPL defeated Puchong United's Lim Khim Wah and Tan Chee Tean 3-2 (11-10, 11-5, 7-11, 9-11, 8-7).

However, needing only to win two matches in the next two games, Puchong United's Yoo Yeon Seong and Christinna Pedersen performed tremendously under pressure to deliver their team's winning points. The pair beat Muar’s Lee Hyo Jung and Chan Peng Soon 3-1 (11-9, 11-9, 7-11, 11-4) in the mixed doubles match to secure Puchong United’s spot in the final.

“This is a team event so it’s not about the best team with the best players but the best players with the best team who will win. From the first match to the last, the pressure was very high but we rode each point as a team. The reason we won is because we showed up as a team,” said Puchong United’s team manager, Irina Inozemtseva.

“Based on our performances today, we are the favourite to win the SSPL 2016/17 title. However, we have to be wary of our players’ conditions as they gave beyond their 100% today. Even if I tweak the line-up for the final, our players will still be comfortable with each other,” added the Russian. 

SSPL 2016/17 Stage 2 Semi-finals Result (10 February 2017)

(8pm) Petaling Jaya BC drew with BU Dragons BC 12-12 (Petaling Jaya BC advanced into the final due to more points accumulation)

MS1: Dani Harsheel Alpesh lost to Wei Nan 2-3 (11-10, 8-11, 10-11, 11-10, 0-1)

WS: Deng Xuan lost to Zhang Beiwen 2-3 (7-11, 11-10, 5-11, 11-8, 6-11)

MD: Kim Sarang-Koo Kien Keat bt Mak Hee Chun-Markis Kido 3-1 (11-4, 11-9, 9-11, 11-7)

XD: Lim Chiew Sien-Shin Baek Cheol bt Chow Pak Chuu-Yap Zhen 3-2 (9-11, 11-9, 7-11, 11-6, 11-6)

MS2: Goh Giap Chin lost to Emil Holst 2-3 (11-9, 9-11, 11-7, 10-11, 9-10)

(4pm) Muar BC lost to Puchong United BC 4-11

MS1: Zulfadli Zulkiffli lost to Chou Tien Chen 0-3 (4-11, 7-11, 8-11)

WS: Shen Ya Ying lost to Tai Tzu Ying 0-3 (7-11, 8-11, 9-11)

MD: Lee Yong Dae-Mohd Arif Ab Latif bt Lim Kim Wah-Tan Chee Tean 3-2 (11-10, 11-5, 7-11, 9-11, 8-7)

XD: Chan Peng Soon-Lee Hyo Jung lost to Christinna Pedersen-Yoo Yeon Seong 1-3 (9-11, 9-11, 11-7, 4-11)