Seng Zoe steers Tebrau City into SS League Finals in Genting

PETALING JAYA: National Under21 champion Yeoh Seng Zoe set aside his disappointment at the Thailand Masters to help debutants Tebrau City Badminton Club secure their place in the SS Purple League Finals.

Seng Zoe played a pivotal role for Tebrau City BC who picked up two massive victories within 24 hours – 12-6 against Kepong BC on Friday and then 15-4 over Bukit Mertajam All Stars BC yesterday.

Seng Zoe won all six games at stake by edging two-time national champion Lim Chi Wing of Kepong BC 11-9, 11-7, 8-11, 6-11, 9-8 before going on to whip world No. 46 Frechman Lucas Corvee from Bukit Mertajam All Stars BC 11-8, 11-4, 11-8.

It was redemption of sorts for Seng Zoe as he failed to make the tournament proper of the Thailand Masters in Bangkok this week.

He was sent packing by reigning world junior champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand in the first qualifying round.

With 27 games from the two wins, Tebrau City BC now leads the six-team Stage 2 standings on 91 games – giving them an unassailable lead over fifth-placed Bukit Mertajam All Stars BC with 55 games although the latter have a match in hand.

Only the top-four finishers from Stage 2 will join top two teams from Stag 1 – Ampang Jaya BC and Puchong United BC – for the sixteam Finals which will be held at the Arena of Stars in Genting Highlands from Jan 24-27.

The other teams vying for spots in the Finals are Petaling BC, Serdang BC and Bandar Maharani BC.