Kuala Lumpur: Muar City BC were crowned Resorts World Genting Purple League champions despite losing to Puchong United BC 8-9 in the final match that was held at the Arena of Stars in Genting on Sunday.
Muar City BC already sealed the Resorts World Genting Purple League champions with two ties to go and finally pocketed RM1 million prize money with a total 106 set-difference when the 2015/2016 regular season ended on Sunday.
After spending two months on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, Daren Liew who has not played since the Chinese Taipei Grand Prix in October 2015, got off the first men’s singles match strongly by defeating Tan Chun Seang of Muar City 11-7, 11-9, 11-7.
Ayumi Mine from Japan then added more pressure on Muar City BC team when she defeated Rusydina Antardayu from Indonesia 7-11, 11-6, 11-5, 11-5 in the women’s singles to put Puchong United ahead with 6-1.
Partnering with the 2008 Olympics mixed doubles gold medalist Lee Hyo-jung, Malaysian mixed doubles specialist Chan Peng Soon was getting fired up to overcome Cheng Wen Hsing/Wong Fai Yin 11-8, 11-9, 11-9 in straight sets to close the gap for Muar City at 4-6.
World No. 1 men’s doubles player Lee Yong-Dae then partnered Tan Wee Kiong to dismiss Ow Yao Han/Tan Wee Gieen 11-3, 11-8, 11-9 to put Muar City ahead with 7-6. Interestingly, the match also saw the two brothers Tan Wee Kiong and Tan Wee Gieen fought on opposite sides during the tie.
“It was great to play in the Purple league. I was able to partner with talented Malaysian shuttlers such as Wee Kiong,” said Lee Yong-Dae after the match.
However, another South Korean Lee Hyun Il couldn’t end the season for Muar City on perfect note when he lost the second men’s singles match to Puchong United BC’s Angus Ng Ka Long 11-5, 4-11, 10-11, 8-11.
Despite the loss, Muar City still pocketed RM1 million dollars, while Puchong United earned a third spot and took home prize money of RM200, 000 ahead of Cheras BC.
Acting Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) president Tan Sri Mohamed Al-Amin Abdul Majid was in Genting to give away the prizes.
After conclusion of the regular season, the top eight teams namely Muar City BC, Petaling Jaya BC, Puchong United BC, Cheras BC, Petaling BC, Kepong BC, Ampang Jaya BC and Serdang BC will advance to the Resorts World Genting Champions Challenge from Jan 12-17.
