It will be an all-Kelantan affair in the Boys’ Under-16 singles semi-finals in the 100PLUS National Junior Circuit Division Three (1st-leg) in Putrajaya.
The East Coast state led by top seed and hot favorite Goo Vie Keat shut out the challenge of Putrajaya and Pahang in the quarter-finals to advance to the last four.
Vie Keat was hardly troubled by home favorite Fawwaz Zainuddin in his 21-14, 21-12 win in only 25 minutes. He will battle teammate Hafizullah Mohd Shukran for a place in the final. Hafizullah had a tough time against compatriot Wan Adib Rifki Wan Marzuki, needing 50 minutes for his 21-15, 16-21, 21-16 win.
Azim Izzudin seeded 3/4 snuffed out Pahang’s lone hope Chan Li Herng in 45 minutes for his 21-13, 21-15 win to book his place against another Kelantan hopes Kang Wei Shern. Wei Shern was also taken the full distance in his 21-16, 18-21, 21-12 win over Muhammad Afiq Suhaimi in an all-Kelantan match.
There was more delight for Kelantan when Vie Keat’s sister Vie Hie also made the semi-finals in the Girls’ Under-16 singles – defeating Terengganu’s Hanis Sofea Zaki 18-21, 21-15, 21-19.
Vie Hie, Kelantan’s lone hope in the Girls’ Under-16, however, will have to content with Pahang’s top seed Tan Jet Sin for a place in the final. Jet Sin overcame a three-game battle against Nurul Hanani Sofea Dali of Perlis 19-21, 21-10, 21-17.
Second seed Evelyn Ng Yan Yi (Pahang) will square up with compatriot Jessica Cheah Ai Ni in the other semi-final.
In the quarter-final matches, Everlyn defeated Terengganu’s Nur Balqis Md Kher 21-16, 21-4 while Jessica ended Perlis hope Poh Wei Nian’s run with a 21-14, 21-17 scoreline.
Meanwhile, in Division One matches played in Penang home favorite Samuel Lee and second seed Chua Jin Yang of Selangor stayed on course for a place in the final.
Samuel smashed Johor’s Liew Xun 21-15, 21-17 to stay in the hunt and will take on Selangor’s Kenny Khew Han Yang, 21-16, 21-18 winner over Sabah’s Hanz Haiql Azahawari.
Jin Yang routed Penang’s Jayron Chua 21-11, 21-18 to reach the eight. he will cross path with Johor Tiew Hen Zhuan who came through a 21-19, 21-11 victory over Kuala Lumpur’s Ting Wen Xuan.
In the other quarter-final matches, Yap Juin An (Selangor) will face teammate Haris Sufian Rushdan while Kok Jia Zheng (Selangor) will take on Chua Kim Sheng in another all-Selangor affair.
