Written by: Amanda Goh Edited by: Leung Lok Heng & Choa Zhao Xiang Photos by: EusoffWorks
The finals match between our eusoff badminton boys and Temasek hall was one with high stakes- after IHG track was cancelled due to the coronavirus, this meant that badminton would be one of the last finals that would be played. With Eusoff being 3 points behind Temasek in the overall IHG, this match would be crucial in determining whether we would emerge as champions in this year’s IHG. Despite the immense pressure, as well as the lack of supporters due to the ban, the boys did not let that deter them as they prepared to play their absolute best on the court.
Line up
Singles: Shaun
Doubles: Huan Zhang and Kaibin
Singles: Brian
Doubles: Junxian and Michael
Singles: Eik Chieh
Match 1
Right off the bat, it was clear that the match would be an intense one, as each point was only won after long rallies. Temasek took the lead early in the set, 4-1 and Shaun’s opponent continued to capitalise on that momentum, bringing it to an 8-4 lead. However, Shuan showed his team what it meant to focus on the game and not let the score affect your mentality, as he gave his best for each point: returning smash after smash no matter how much strength his opponent put into hitting the shuttlecock, sprinting to save the shuttlecock when it barely brushed over the net, and keeping his composure enough to make good judgement calls on whether or not the shuttlecock was out of bounds. Slowly but surely, Shaun starts to catch up- breaking his opponent’s momentum and winning point after well deserved point to bring it to a score of 10-10!! He makes this impressive comeback even better by taking the lead at the interval, 11-10. After the interval, Shaun comes back even stronger, extending the lead to 14-11, and not letting himself miss a point, 17-11. He goes on to take the first set 21-14, a seriously big comeback from his 4 point deficit at the start! The second set is just as intense at the start as Temasek takes the lead 6-3, but once again Shaun slowly equalises to 6-6. TH tries to pull away and they take an 8-6 lead but Shuan is unfazed and slowly, rally by rally, snatches the lead for himself to make it 11-10 at the interval. Similar to the first set, Shaun widens the lead to 19-11 and eventually takes the first game 21-12! Well done Shaun, he really played so well you had to watch it to see what I mean.
EH 1:0 TH
Match 2
Temasek takes an early lead in the doubles match despite Huan Zhang and Kaibin’s best efforts to return their shots, and its 3-1 to TH. Our doubles are relentless and catch up to them with multiple well placed smashes from both boys bringing it to 4-4! The doubles continue to fight hard but so does Temasek and the score is level again at 8-8. Their quick reflexes and arm strength earn them another point before the interval but sadly due to a service error, TH takes the lead at the interval 11-9. The second half starts off shakily and Temasek capitalises on their winning streak, bringing the lead to 18-13 to TH. However, these points were not easy for TH to win, as HZ and KB return their shots time after time, making the TH boys really sweat it out to take a lead against them. Unfortunately the steep 5 point lead was too hard to overcome and Temasek takes the first set 21-13. The second set is just as tough as TH takes the lead again at 7-5, but not without a fight from our doubles who put all their energy into hitting the shuttlecock, i lost track of how many times the shuttlecock had to be replaced. At the interval, TH takes an 11-7 lead and continue to extend the lead until they win the second set at 21-13 again. Good job to our boys who fought hard all the way and showed us both their physical, as well as mental strength!
Freshie duo Huan Zhang and Kai Bin put up an admirable fight against tough opponents.
EH 1:1 TH
Match 3
It’s not easy being Brianpokkatea, as people always push daunting tasks to him!! First he is expected to win bash king and now his team has sent him up to defeat the best player from Temasek (who is in IVP and according to everybody is really very good luh). Ready to take on the role of IVP slayer, Brian steps on court to earn his spot on the IVP team. Sadly, his opponent did not want Brian to win both bashking and IVPslayer titles and TH takes a 10-0 lead. Not wanting to have 0 points at the interval, Brian shows off his handsome face to his opponent and distracts him, winning one well earned point to make it 10-1! He goes on to win 2 more points but not before TH wins 21 points and Temasek takes the first set 21-3. Back with a vengeance, and some 100+ in his system, pokkatea fights hard to make the score level in the second set, and both of them are evenly matched at a solid draw of 1-1. Sadly things go downhill from there and despite 3 more good shots from Brian, TH takes the lead at interval, 11-4. Temasek finishes the game strong at 21-6. Very nice game to Brian who really tried his best but we can’t have everything in life, bashking is more than enough clout for you already.
EH 1:2 TH
Match 4
The team is in a dangerous situation going into the second doubles match, as Temasek only needs one more game to take home the gold. Thankfully, next up we have Junxian and Michael, “the strongest doubles in Eusoff history” according to Shaun. They prove Shaun right as they flawlessly return the shuttlecock, and deliver deadly smashes that give them a solid 11-4 lead at the interval. Their TH opponents do put up a fight by trying to return their balls but Junxian and Michael just continue to hit the shuttlecock back making it impossible for them to catch up. They follow this momentum and win the first set with a solid score of 21-7. Some glitch in the matrix goes on in the second set as Temasek suddenly takes a 6-0 lead on us. Undeterred, and unfazed, with Junxian still looking very chill and happy, they bring it back point by point and start to close the gap: 11-7 to Temasek at the interval. The choking stops and they equalise at 12-12! But unfortunately there is some counting error on the umpires side and it is deemed 13-11 to TH. The boys confidently give up that point without a fight and level the score at 19-19!! Refusing to even let it go to deuce, they win the next two points and take the game 21-19! Well done boys y’all played so well and kept us in the fight for gold!
EH 2:2 TH
Match 5
To bring home the gold, we have captain Eik Chieh on court! “Discipline is the bridge between your goals and success”, was the quote he gave me during our interview many months ago and it is clear that discipline is not something Eik is lacking- his teammates say that he is always practising his footwork and strokes when no one else has arrived for training, and even moments before the match begins, Eik Chieh continues to train his reflexes and footwork, darting around the court by himself before his opponent steps on court. The match is a close one as although Eik Chieh takes an early 4-1 lead, his opponent manages to catch up and equalises at 10-10 after some intense rallies. Determined not to lose his lead, Eik Chieh delivers a killer smash to take the point, 11-10 to eusoff at interval. He takes two more points after interval but Temasek starts to catch up, making it 18-18. Temasek side goes wild as the TH opponent takes two more points 20-18 to TH. Despite being one point away from losing the first set, Eik Chieh is calm and composed, and his months off hard work shines through as he pulls off a 4 point win, bringing it to deuce and then to a WIN for his first set!! Determined not to be in another close call like that, Eik Chieh is relentless with his attacks in the second set, not giving his opponent a single chance as he takes a 6-0 lead. Temasek tries to catch up but despite taking a few points, Eik is still in the lead at interval: 11-6. With just 10 points between him and the IHG gold, his team gathers, ready to run in and surround him when he wins. He does not disappoint his boys and takes the second set 21-12!!!!!! As everyone on the instalive goes wild, his team jumps onto their captain and hug him.
EH 3:2 TH
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE BOYS TEAM FOR TAKING HOME THE GOLD!!!! The road was never easy for them, during our first interview captain Eik Chieh told me it would be difficult to make it to the finals, much less win champions. However, he also said that he had faith in his team as they were driven and hardworking. Today, they proved their captain right as months of their hard work won them the IHG GOLD. Good job boys we are all so proud of you!
Your IHG 19/20 Badminton (M) Champions! Congratulations, guys!
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