Written By: Malcolm Rhys Lim Edited By: Valerie Chua & Jolene Wong Photographs By: EusoffWorks
Large crowds willingly gathering in the sweltering heat of the suffocating MPSH5 and that can only mean one thing; it’s badminton IHG season once again! Our Badminton boys and girls kicked off their IHG campaign against Kent Ridge (KR) and Temasek Hall (TH) respectively.
Badminton (M) lineup:
1st singles: Shaun
1st doubles: Charles and Austin
2nd singles: Wei Zhong
2nd doubles: Jun Xian and Alex
3rd singles: Eikchieh
First up for Eusoff was the legendary Captain Shaun. Looking to inspire his team with a morale-boosting victory, Captain Shaun sure did not disappoint. Despite a few unforced errors which were likely due to first game nerves, Shaun was mostly flawless, dominating the match and leaving his opponent scrambling. A few sick smashes and drop shots later, Shaun took the first set 21-12.
Shaun carried the second set on just how he ended the first, dominant. His shots left his opponent running back, forth and side to side. Right from the start, everybody could tell this was to be a match to watch. Shaun rained down smash after smash onto his helpless opponent who by the end of the match could be seen visibly panting. Shaun on the other hand, looked as if he had not even broken a sweat yet. This lopsided match concluded with a drop shot that Shaun’s opponent failed to return.
Final score: 21-12, 21-6
Eusoff 1 – 0 KR
Captain Shaun serving the shuttlecock.
Up next for the boys was the doubles pairing of Charles and Austin. Clearly motivated by Captain Shaun’s performance, they got off to a roaring start, scoring 3 unanswered points and led 11-5 as they took a water break. The KR boys however, looked determined to get a point back for their hall and after what must have been some inspirational words from their captain, they came back in the second part of the match. Back and forth the match went as KR hit a few good drop shots and they found themselves in the lead for the first time in the match. Tied at 15-15, the set was anybody’s to take. However, the composure from Charles and Austin prevailed as they had some tight defence, saving a few smashes in a point that they ultimately won and put them back in the lead. In the end, a bit of miscommunication between the KR pair led to an easy point for Charles and Austin and they never looked back from there, taking the set 21-18.
The next set proved to be equally tight as the score went back and forth until the KR pairing hit a good rhythm and scored 5 unanswered points to take a 11-7 lead. With the pressure mounting on Charles and Austin, Captain Shaun once again gave them a motivational talk. Buoyed by the talk and some nice 100 plus, Austin and Charles were ready to go. A series of smashes by both Charles and Austin left their KR opponents visibly shaken as one of their heads nearly got taken off by a vicious smash from Charles. All those gym sessions have clearly paid off. Good job MONSTER BICEPS Charles! In the end, Charles and Austin’s biceps won the day as they finished off their opponents with another monstrous smash.
Final Score: 21-18, 21-17
Eusoff 2 – 0 KR
Bicep boys Austin (front) and Charles (back) taking their game down easily.
Looking to win it for Eusoff was returning senior Wei Zhong. However, he could not keep up with his younger and fresher opponent. Down at the break, Wei Zhong tried valiantly to save each and every point, putting his body (and his racket) on the line as he dived a few times to save the shuttle. In this back and forth set, the KR opponent’s precise shots were the deciding factor as he won the set 21-17.
Wei Zhong fought hard in the second set, trying to push the match to a rubber set. Another back and forth set ensued with the KR opponent leading the majority of the time. Credits to Wei Zhong as each time it seemed his opponent was pulling away, he fought back hard and evened out the score a few times. In the end, his opponent prevailed with a score of 21-18.
Final Score: 17-21, 18-21
Eusoff 2 – 1 KR
Veteran Wei Zhong sending the shuttlecock back in perfect form.
Next up for Eusoff were our freshie doubles pairing of Alex and Jun Xian. Playing their first ever IHG, their nerves were on show as they fell behind their opponents early on in the set. However, good communication once again proved key as their KR opponents got crossed up a few times as to who would be hitting the shuttle. Getting into their groove, Alex and Jun Xian won what would prove to be an important point. A smash from KR’s number 21 left Alex scrambling to his left as his shot looped high into the air. Another smash, this time from number 13 had Jun Xian diving to his right to save the shuttle. It barely got over the net, but a bad shot left an opening for Alex and his smash could not be stopped. Buoyed by that point, Alex and Jun Xian took the set 21-19.
The second set played out much like the first, with Alex and Jun Xian going down early but recovering well. Late game players indeed. The decisive factor that won them the set was probably their bromance. Whenever they lost a point, they would merely smile and laugh at each other and there was even a sneaky pat on the butt somewhere in between. Teamwork truly makes the dream work. Their bromance left the opponents confused and bewildered but ultimately it worked as they won the set 21-17. With that, Eusoff secured the win.
Final score: 21-19, 21-17
Eusoff 3 – 1 KR
Freshie Alex (front) taking the serve, with his teammate Jun Xian (behind) supporting at the back.
With the match already won, freshie Eik Chieh went out in search of some personal glory. Glory indeed he found as he was up 9-2 in the blink of an eye. His opponent could not handle his drop shots that barely landed over the net as well as his shots down the line. A barrage of smashes from Eik Chieh saw him take the set 21-5.
Eik Chieh was on fire, proceeding to end the second set with a score of 21-12, earning another set for Eusoff.
Final score: 21-5, 21-12
Eusoff 4 – 1 KR
Eik Chieh preparing to power his shot over.
That concluded the first game for our badminton boys. Let’s continue to cheer them on in their pursuit of IHG Gold!
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