Kuala Lumpur: Singapore shuttler Liang Xiao Yu once again inspired players of her team as Kepong BC defeated Purple League’s regular season Champions Muar City 13-8 in the final of the Purple League Champions Challenge on Sunday.
After Arif Latif of Muar City won a 3-1 first men’s singles match over Nur Azriyn Ayup of Kepong, many people predicted the well balanced Muar City would take home Purple League Champions Challenge title without any real suspense.
However, a suddenly supple Liang Xiao Yu staged a dramatic turning point for Kepong with a comprehensive 11-9,11-6,11-7 victory against Rusydina Antarday in the women’s singles match to give Kepong a 4-3 lead.
Ow Yao Han/Tan Boon Heong of Kepong then delivered a huge blow to Muar City after they made a spectacular comeback in the first men’s doubles match against Tan Wee Kiong/Teo Kok Siang in a five-set thriller to extend Kepong’s lead to 7-5.
“We kept our cool under those tense moments, and luckily we managed to win the match by one point,” said Tan Boon Heong.
Hendra Gunawan/Mei Qili of Kepong who were stretched to the limit by Razif Abd Latif/Soong Fei Cho of Cheras in yesterday’s semi-final, put on a dominant performance to beat Mak Hee Chun/Vivian Hoo from Muar City 3-0 in the mixed doubles match.
Kepong successfully claimed their Purple League Champions Challenge title and the prize money of RM200,000 when Goh Soon Huat surged ahead in the second men’s singles match by stepping up his game a notch to down Tan Chun Seang of Muar City 3-0.
In a meaningless second men’s doubles match after the already decided tie, Chow Pak Chuu/Tan Bin Shen of Muar City got the better of Low Juan Sheng/Soo Kar Seong by winning the match with 11-9,11-5,11-9.
Muar City took home RM100,000 after settled for the second place, while Puchong United BC won RM50,000 and Cheras BC awarded RM25,000 to finish at third and fourth place.
