Good start: V. Poopathi in action against Dylan Ooi in the Group A-B playoff opening match of the 100PLUS National Junior Ranking Challenge
PETALING JAYA: Shuttler V. Poopathi is eyeing another win over Eogene Ewe as he aims to stay in the top division of the 100PLUS National Junior Ranking Challenge.
The 16-year-old got off to a good start in the tournament’s promotion and relegation playoffs by beating Dylan Ooi 21-19,22-20 at the Juara Stadium in Bukit Kiara yesterday.
Poopathi will face Eogene today and a win will virtually assure his survival in Group A.
Group B winner Eogene, meanwhile, underlined his promotion bid by upstaging 17-year-old Anson Cheong 18-21,21-16,21-11 in his opening fixture yesterday.
“At 15, Eogene may be the youngest among us, but I see him as the toughest opponent in the group, ” said Poopathi.
“I beat him to win Group B in the previous ranking challenge earlier this year, but past result will count for nothing.
“He has improved by leaps and bounds since then. It’s going to be tough.
“But, I have prepared well for this week and I’m ready to take him down again.”
Poopathi said he needs to beat Eogene at all costs to avoid any unnecessary pressure in his last match against Anson.
“If I’m able to overcome Eogene, then I’m almost certain of a top-two finish and will head into the last match against Anson with a lot of confidence, ” added Poopathi.
“In the last playoffs in March, I only managed second place behind Chua Kim Sheng. I really want to try to win all my matches and become group winner this time.”
In the girls’ singles contest, favourites Khor Jing Wen and Nurshuhaini Azman both enjoyed a great start.
Jing Wen powered past Loh Zhi Wei 21-7,22-20 while Nurshuhaini outclassed Joanne Ng 21-11,21-9 to boost her promotion chances.
RESULTS
BOYS’ SINGLES
Group A-B: Eogene Ewe bt Anson Cheong 18-21,21-16,21-11; V. Poopathi bt Dylan Ooi 21-19,22-20.
Group B-C: Ferdinan Ramno bt Lok Hong Quan 21-16,24-22; Low Han Chen bt Aaron Tai 15-21,21-14,21-7.
Group C-D: Kee Is Qian bt Lee Yen Wei 21-19,13-21,21-17; Kong Teck Joon bt V. Tamilarasukumar 21-9,21-12.
GIRLS’ SINGLES
Group A-B: Khor Jing Wen bt Loh Zhi Wei 21-7,22-20; Nurshuhaini Azman bt Joanne Ng 21-11,21-9.
Group B-C: Carmen Ting bt Tan Shen Ting 17-21,21-8,21-10; Oo Shan Zi bt Chong Jie Yu 18-21,21-11 21-10.
Group C-D: Noraqilah Maisarah w/o Tan Zhing Hui; Shaneesa Shahidi bt Lily Wong 21-15,21-16.
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