# Zulfadli’s win gives Cheras BC 10-7 win over Klang United BC
# Cheras hope favour from champions Muar City BC and beat Puchong United BC by eight or more points
Former World and Asian Junior champion Zulfadli Zulkifli delivered when it mattered most with a crushing 11-5, 11-5, 11-2 win over Indonesian youngster Evert Sukamta in the second men’s singles match to give Cheras BC a 10-7 win over Klang United BC in their final round league match in the Resorts World Genting Purple League on Saturday.
Zulfadli’s win at the Arena of Stars in Genting Highlands swung the match in favour of Cheras after both teams were deadlocked at 7-7 after Klang United led 6-1 by winning the opening men’s singles through Leong Jun Hao and women’s singles Singapore’s China-born Zhang Bei Wen.
But Cheras came back strongly to win the mixed doubles to Razif Latif-Ng Hui Lin and the men’s doubles through Arif Latif-Azriyn Ayub to make it all square.
Cheras manager Raezal Hussein managed to put a smile on his face after the win as it gives his team to finish third in the league and win the RM200,000 prize money that comes with it. Fourth place is worth RM100,000.
However, much will depend on Sunday’s match between champions Muar City BC and Puchong United BC. If Muar win the match by eight or more points Cheras will finish third and Puchong fourth.
“The difference in prize money is huge for third and fourth placed teams. So we hope Muar will do us a favour against Puchong,” said Raezal.
Zulfadli had a rather easy match against Sukamta who had scalped big names in his earlier matches. Some of those who fell victim to the Indonesian included current world No 3 Kento Momota of Japan, Thailand’s Boonsak Ponsana and reigning Malaysian champion Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin.
The top eight teams in the 12-team Purple League will play in the Champions Challenge will begin at Arena of Stars on Tuesday.
RESULTS
Cheras BC beat Klang United BC 10-7
Soong Joo Ven lost to Leong Jun Hao 9-11, 9-11, 6-11
Febby Angguni lost to Zhang Bei Wen 5-11, 9-11, 11-8, 4-11
Razif Latif-Ng Hui Lin beat Muhammad Halem-Yap Yee 11-7, 11-7, 11-8
Arif Latif-Azriyn Ayub beat Mahardika Alwi-Sabar Kariaman Dutama 11-6, 11-10, 6-11, 11-8
Zulfadli Zulkifli beat Evert Sukamta 11-5, 11-5, 11-2
