Champions: Ampang Jaya Badminton Club’s players and officials celebrating after winning the Senheng RedOne Purple League Professional final at the Arena of Stars in Genting Highlands. — S.S. KANESAN/The Star
GENTING HIGHLANDS: Ampang Jaya Badminton Club had only targeted to reach the semi-finals of the Senheng RedOne Purple League Professional.
But they went all the way to capture their maiden title after a stunning 9-2 victory over 2017 champions Petaling Badminton Club in the final yesterday at the Arena of Stars in Genting Highlands.
Ampang BC did boast a star-studded line-up led by Taiwan’s world No. 4 Chou Tien-chen and Malaysia’s top women’s singles star Goh Jin Wei and the duo rose to the occasion to lead their team to victory.
Tien-chen rebounded strongly from a shock loss to Puchong United Badminton Club’s Lee Cheuk Yiu in the semi-finals by defeating Petaling BC’s Brice Leverdez 11-10, 11-5, 9-11, 11-6 to give his team the perfect start.
Inspired by her teammate’s win, Jin Wei played brilliantly to maintain her perfect record in the tournament by overcoming Pai Yu-po 11-9, 11-6, 10-11, 11-9.
It was then left to Indonesians Sabar Gutama-Moh Reza Pahlevi to seal the tie and the crown for Ampang Jaya BC and they delivered with a composed 11-9, 11-4, 11-6 win over Goh V Shem-Low Juan Shen.
Sabar and Moh were delighted to give their team the winning point.
“This is my first Purple League and I feel so happy that Sabar and I managed to help Ampang Jaya BC win the title. I hope that we can win again next year. It has been a great experience for me,” said Moh.
Sabar chimed in: “I had played once before in this competition during the first edition in 2015 for Klang United but we didn’t get past the group stages. So, I’m so happy to nick it this time.”
Ampang Jaya BC team manager Voon Siaw Yie was happy that the team went beyond her expectations.
“We have never won the title before and wanted to reach at least the semi-finals this time. But, we exceeded our target. We do have a very strong team and I believe this helped us to win. I’m so proud of the players,” said Siaw Yie.
The club pocketed RM200,000 for their efforts while Petaling BC took home RM100,000.
Meanwhile, Puchong United Badminton Club finished third after beating Sena Bangkok Club 10-5 in the third-place playoff and collected RM60,000 while the latter received RM50,000.
RESULTS
Final: Ampang Jaya Badminton Club bt Petaling Badminton Club 9-2 (Chou Tien-chen bt Brice Leverdez 11-10, 11-5, 9-11, 11-6; Goh Jin Wei bt Pai Yu-po 11-9, 11-6, 10-11, 11-9; Sabar Gutama-Moh Reza Pahlevi bt Goh V Shem-Low Juan Shen 11-9, 11-4, 11-6).
Third-place playoff: Puchong United Badminton Club bt Sena Bangkok Club 10-5 (Lee Cheuk Yiu bt Kittipong Imnark 11-6, 11-7, 6-11, 11-5; Busanan Ongbamrungphan bt Ho Yen Mei 11-7, 11-2, 8-11, 11-9; Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi bt Kittisak Namdash-Yap Qar Siong 11-5, 11-5, 11-4; Tan Kian Meng-Goh Liu Ying bt Pongsakorn Thongkham-Atitaya Povanon 11-6, 11-8, 6-11, 11-8).
