Written by: Denzel Lim Ming Wei
Edited by: Angelina Grace Pandiman
Photos by: Eusoff Works
With news of the abrupt end to IHG 21/22, many of us ended our seasons with a heavy heart. On Saturday, our badminton girls played the last official match of IHG 21/22 against Temasek Hall and it definitely didn’t disappoint all of us as they put up a spectacular show against our rivals. Being the last official IHG match, one would think that our girls would be nervous and dead serious, considering the fact that everyone will probably be watching. However, when I asked captain Fel for the lineup, she laughed and said “I also dk the lineup”. Truly fitting for the last match of the season! Jokes aside, as the underdogs, our girls were more than prepared to give our rivals a tough time.
In the 1st singles we have the multi-talented Celine, up against Temasek’s best player. Despite facing this Herculean task, Celine kept her composure and gave it her best shot. It was tough, as her opponent had answers to all of Celine’s shots. The 1st set was taken quickly by her at 7-21. In the 2nd set, Celine attempted to keep her opponent on her toes as she incorporated feints and paused shots into her gameplay. However, her opponent was simply too fast and somehow, was able to retrieve all of Celine’s shots. Proving to be too much of a challenge, Temasek seals the 1st singles with a 12-21 win in the 2nd set.
1st singles: Celine 7-21, 12-21 (L/L)
In the 1st doubles, we have Huilin and Naomi to keep Eusoff in the race for gold. Honestly, even as someone who doesn’t play badminton, I have to say, both Huilin and Naomi’s service receive games are damn good. Keeping their opponent guessing with paused returns and body feints, Huilin and Naomi managed to create many attacking opportunities for themselves, keeping their opponent from having a comfortable lead. However, their opponents were screaming after every point and perhaps the high-pitched screaming got to them at crucial junctures, causing them to drop the 1st set at 18-21. In the 2nd set, the screaming continued as Huilin and Naomi fought hard to claw their way back into the game. The points were pretty much even as both sides kept the other within reach. At 14-14 however, Temasek’s pair managed to find their momentum as they slipped away with the lead, eventually taking the 2nd set 16-21.
1st doubles: Huilin & Naomi 18-21, 16-21 (L/L)
In the 2nd singles, we have Queenie with the uphill battle to keep Eusoff afloat. Facing yet another challenging opponent, Queenie played well, producing many well constructed rallies. However, Temasek was honestly pretty damn good, giving Queenie and extremely difficult time with her very well placed shots. 1st set went to TH 12-21. In the 2nd set, Queenie started off well, keeping a very small gap between her opponent and herself. With her soft touches, she manages to beat her opponent at the net several times. However, nearing the mid game interval, her opponent took charge of the match and went full speed ahead, eventually taking the 2nd set 9-21, sealing the gold medal for Temasek.
2nd singles: Queenie 12-21, 9-21 (L/L)
Coming up next in the 2nd doubles, we have our superstar doubles Aderes and Gwen. Truly giving the audience a treat, the match was full of intense rallies as both sides gave the other a hard time. At one point, Aderes and Gwen were down 11-16. However, refusing to let this set go, both of them clawed back and managed to take the 1st set narrowly with a 21-18 win. In the 2nd set, Aderes and Gwen started off strong with a commanding 10-1 lead. Keeping the momentum with them, Aderes and Gwen managed to make very few errors and eventually, they took the 2nd set with a 21-13 win.
2nd doubles: Aderes & Gwen 21-18, 21-13 (W/W)
GWEN ROARS
In the last singles, playing the final match of IHG 21/22 and probably her last match for Eusoff, Elis takes the centre stage. The difference in skill level was pretty evident this match as Elis really made her opponent scramble around the court for each shot. Majority of the points Elis lost were errors on her end, while majority of the points her opponent lost were due to the godly placement of Elis. Don’t get me wrong, her opponent was definitely a very skilful one. However, Elis outclassed her opponent, taking the 1st set comfortably at 21-10. In the 2nd set, her opponent fought extremely hard, keeping the game very tight. However, the difference was that her opponent looked like she was gonna pass out at any moment, while Elis looked as though she was ready for another 10 sets. Demonstrating absolute class, Elis chipped away at her opponent’s confidence with a series of ankle breaking shots and several tumbling net shots. In the end, she ended off her last match for Eusoff with a very beautiful forehand reverse slice which clipped the line, taking the 2nd set 21-13.
Last singles: Elis 21-10, 21-13 (W/W)
maybe gymnastics should be her 10th sport? :o
1st singles: Celine 7-21, 12-21 (L/L)
1st doubles: Huilin & Naomi 18-21, 16-21 (L/L)
2nd singles: Queenie 12-21, 9-21 (L/L)
2nd doubles: Aderes & Gwen 21-18, 21-13 (W/W)
Last singles: Elis 21-10, 21-13 (W/W)
Overall: 2-3 to Temasek
Good Job Eusoff ✨
And with this, IHG 21/22 comes to an end. Not the ending we were hoping for, but definitely a season to remember for many. Hope everybody had fun and hope you enjoyed the articles and commentary Pubes provided for the matches :D
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