National GP Finals: Unheralded Soon Huat stuns Wei Feng to book final date with Chong Wei

World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei cruised into the final but it was back-up shuttler Goh Soon Huat who stole the thunder in the semi-finals of the National Circuit Grand Prix Finals at the Juara Stadium, Bukit Kiara, yesterday.
Chong Wei, bidding to win his 10th national title and exit the local scene with a bang, despatched Misbun Ramdan Misbun 21-10, 21-14 in just 26 minutes.
The 21-year-old Soon Huat, competing in the semi-finals for the first time, showed incredible fighting spirit to claw back from a game down to beat elite shuttler Chong Wei Feng 13-21, 21-18, 21-14.
KL Open champion Wei Feng took the first game 21-13, as Soon Huat seemed out of sorts, and he appeared to be well on his way to a second appearance in the final of the GP Finals since 2008, leading 17-13.

Goh Soon Huat in action at the Juara Stadium - Star pic by SHAHRUL FAZRY ISMAIL

However, the Malaccan-born Soon Huat suddenly found his rhythm, and took the second game 21-18.
Revitalised, Soon Huat made no mistake in the third game, clinching it 21-14.
“It was a great feeling beating Wei Feng for the first time,” said Soon Huat, who had lost to Wei Feng in all four of their previous meetings.
“In the second game, I thought I had no chance when I found myself trailing 13-17. That was when I decided to just go all out and attack. Luckily for me, it paid off.
“I’m really happy and excited to be in the final. I hope I can maintain this performance against Chong Wei.”
Chong Wei, meanwhile, was glad to see the younger players making their way into the semi-final stage of the GP Finals “because in my time, it was much harder”.
“I’ve trained with Misbun since he was younger and it’s good to see that he can beat older players like Mohd Arif (Abdul Latif).
“As for Soon Huat, he’s a relatively new player in the BAM fold. Although he hasn’t had much success in overseas tournaments, he’s playing well on the national scene.
“He just needs to keep improving and show that he has the desire to become the country’s second singles player. The SEA Games in Jakarta next month will be a good opportunity for him to show what he’s made of.”
In men’s doubles, the scratch pair of Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari-Ong Soon Hock came back strongly after losing the first game to stun tournament favourites Lim Khim Wah-Goh V Shem 12-21, 23-21, 21-15 and qualify for the final.
They will meet Mohd Lutfi Zaim-Vountus Indra Mawan in today’s final.
Tee Jing Yi remained well on course for her third national title after disposing of former national player and 2008 champion Julia Wong 21-5, 21-14 in the women’s singles.
Jing Yi will take on Lydia Cheah in today’s final. Lydia overcame younger sister Sonia 21-18, 21-16 in the other semi-final.
Courtesy of The Star