Written by: Amanda Goh Edited by: Leung Lok Heng & Choa Zhao Xiang Photos by: EusoffWorks
In light of the recent coronavirus outbreak, the code orange put in place meant that no supporters apart from essential personnel were present in MPSH5 for the girls finals. However, this did not deter our girls as they set their eyes on the gold!
(First hall to win 3 matches win- each match is played to the best of 3 sets, and each set is won when a player reaches 21 points. if the score is tied at 20-20, they go to deuce)
Line up:
Celine
Joanna and Weilynn
Elis
Sheri and Zhiyi
Jiaen
Match 1
Future captain Celine steps on court determined to start the day off on a winning foot, and the 15 essential personnel present at the match let out a deafening cheer for celine the superstar! The set starts off shakily as the TH player hits the shuttlecock at good angles and celine is unable to receive the shuttlecock, and temasek takes an early lead at 8-4. Undeterred, Celine presses on with her amazing footwork and hits back some difficult shots. Unfortunately the four point lead was just too steep and building on her momentum, the temasek player continues to widen the gap with well placed shots. Celine wins a few points in the row towards the end, bringing it from 19-12 to 20-16 but her opponent eventually prevails and takes the first set 21-16 to TH. The second set is neck in neck as they reach 3-3 and 5-5, but temasek eventually pulls away to a 11-8 lead at the interval. Celine presses on and does not give up but eventually TH takes the set at 21-14 despite multiple good shots and receives from Celine. Good job Celine you played well!!
EH 0:1 TH
Match 2
Senior duo Weilynn and Joanna step on court to even the score but their match starts off on a bad foot as Temasek takes the lead after a couple of intense rallies where both our girls return shot after shot. Eventually temasek pulls away from the 4-4 tie and takes the lead at 8-5. Although our doubles have quick reflexes and are able to return their hard hitting smashes, it is undeniable that the Temasek doubles were on fire as well as they were relentless with their smashing, maintaining their lead until it reached 16-13. At this stage, our doubles fought hard and after some beautiful rallies, came out victorious and were able to even the score at 16-16. they continue to remain close at 17-17, 18-18 but at the last moment TH pulls away and takes the first set 21-19 with a hard smash. The second set is off to a bad start as well as Temasek immediately takes advantage of our weak spots, and take a massive 5-1 lead that extends further to 9-1 after some unfortunate outs from our doubles. Despite their best efforts the huge gap was just impossible to close and the girls lose the second set 21-12. Although they did not play their best today, they definitely tried their best and persevered throughout. For that, the whole of eusoff is very proud of them!
EH 0:2 TH
Match 3
At this critical stage, it’s up to captain Elis to maintain her undefeated IHG streak and win the match, as a loss would mean that the gold for badminton would go to Temasek. Right off the bat, we knew it would be a close fight as Male captain Eik Chieh commented that Elis was up against the best singles player from TH. Although the temasek player was extremely strong and skilled, she was no match for Elis who was on her best form today, and Elis takes a 4-1 lead. Proving that she would not go down without a fight, the TH player equalises with a couple of hard taps and outs from Elis, bringing the score to 4-4, and then 7-7. its an intense match as TH takes the lead at the interval, 11-10. Both players are even more aggressive and fast after their water break and each take point after point until the score is 17-17. Thankfully, Elis pulls away with some beautiful smashes and strategic slices, winning the first set 21-17!!!! Elis seems to have warmed up and is on FIRE for the second set, taking an early lead with some well deserved points at 5-2 to EH. Determined to get the gold for temasek, her opponent hits back harder and brings the score to 5-5. Elis is not having it and starts playing better, if that’s even possible, bringing the lead to 9-6 to eusoff and eventually widens the lead so much that she wins the set 21-12! Maintaining her undefeated streak, and keeping the girls in the running for the finals, she walks off the court with a well deserved smile on her face as her team cheers for her! IVP really different breed!
Captain Elis kept her unbeaten IHG streak alive with a solid win!
EH 1:2 TH
Match 4
The situation is still tense at this point, as one more game lost would mean that the gold would not go to eusoff. Thankfully, we have our IVP power doubles Zhiyi (current IVP player) and Sheri (ex IVP player) to keep us in the running. TH scores 2 points but those would be the only two points they score in a while as The set goes smoothly as Zhiyi and Sheri’s flawless teamwork and perfect strokes bring them to a 9-2 lead. They continue to blaze their way through with their talent and win the first set 21-8. On a winning streak, the girls win point after point with smashes, taps and clever nettings from both players- and our drum bangers Gladys and Aderes are kept busy throughout the whole game! They continue to sound the drum of victory all the way to a 21-13 victory for our superstar doubles! Well done girls!!
EH 2:2 TH
Match 5
Smiley Jiaen steps on court to play the decider match, and despite the intensity of the situation, she still has an adorable smile on her face as she begins the match. The first few points are intense as they both refuse to let the other take the lead and we are constantly stuck at scores like 3-3 and 5-5. A lucky serve into the net from the TH opponent lets Jiaen take the lead at the interval 11-10. Shuan’s advice and a water break for Jiaen really does wonders for her as she proceeds to take the lead with some powerful smashes and taps. She proves that she is not just a strong player, but a smart one as well as she takes a few points due to her good judgement as she lets the shuttlecock go out of bounds instead of hitting it back. Her composed and solid plays wins her the first set 21-15 and the crowd (of less than 20 eusoffian) goes WILD. The second set starts off well as Jiaen takes an early lead 4-2 to more cheering and banging of drums from our side, and she takes a solid 5 point lead at the interval, 11-6. With just 10 more points between her and the IHG gold, Jiaen is brutal with her strokes and brings the lead to 13-7 and continues to widen this gap until she takes the second set at 21-8!!!!! Her win secures our badminton girls the GOLD! Well done Jiaen!!!!
With the match on the line, Jia En kept her calm and played like a true champ.
Final score: EH 3:2 TH
The girls are all smiles after a well fought match against our worthy Temasek opponents, as they come out VICTORIOUS! All their hard work this season has really paid off, and it was my honour to cover every match from them as I, as well as many other eusoffian got to see their fighting spirit all the way to the end! GOOD JOB GIRLS WE ARE ALL SO PROUD!
Your IHG 19/20 Badminton (F) Champions! Congratulations, ladies!
Comments