Written by: Choa Zhao Xiang and Leung Lok Heng Edited by : Choa Zhao Xiang and Leung Lok Heng Photos by: EusoffWorks
Saturday morning for most is associated with waking up at 2pm after a distorting Friday night, but it’s not the case for our very dedicated and sober Eusoffians, who turnt up despite weather mood swings to participate in D5 of IBG! Saturday was a fantastic opportunity for everyone to showcase their hidden talents in Frisbee and Football, with frisbee kicking off the day. The rain before the event primed the burnt field for the games, making it the perfect pitch for our players to pivot and sprint for those sweet sweet plays.
Frisbee Our first match featured D and E block. Whilst E block featured many seniors who were experienced in frisbee, their freshies were no less amazing in their own way. Ivan, was one of the standout players for his block. Swift and decisive, he was able to orchestrate plays from the heart of the pitch, linking up the defensive lines to the attack. Together with Audrey, E block were stunning in their link-up play with senior Bryan. However, D block were not a laughing matter. They themselves were made up of experienced and intelligent players. Built around senior Luo Ling, D block were quick on the counterattack and scored out of nowhere. Felice, Yu Xuan, Hao Ting and Bang Yi worked remarkably well together. Felice was a major stand out for most. Her flicks and runs were so well-timed, it looked like she was playing some form of advanced frisbee from 2099. We could all see the smiles on their faces when they connected with one another. However, these teams were so evenly matched that the match finished 2-2. The result left many in the crowd dying for a conclusion, but what a start to the Saturday morning!
The next match saw A and B block step up onto the pitch. The B block team was filled with heart and passion, led by the kind-hearted Christoph. The playmaker main man was a leader for the block, making most of the throws to his teammates. He was accompanied by Sheana and Yi Chen once again, who have turned up for almost all the IBG matches. However, luck was not on their side and they came extremely close to nicking a point or two. A block instead, dominated the majority of the game. York Tat, Sharlene and Matteus were unmissable. Plays mostly started off with York Tat’s passes, that were linked up with Sharlene in midfield and finally Matteus in the rectangular zone. They made little mistakes and were led by three very experienced and terrifying seniors, Toby, Faith and Raymond. Their combined efforts led to them dispatching B block 4-0.
Christoph sporting a beautiful smile. It’s a wonderful world.
As the day went on, we saw many fantastic displays of frisbee and random chants of ‘hammer that chicken wing (?)’. However the match between C and B block was rather special. C block summoned players like Vanessa, Jun Han, Ethan and Sean. While all of them looked like they had sick calves and a fantastic breakfast, they worked extremely well as a unit. Everyone in the spectator areas could see the persistence and Eusoff spirit in Vanessa, who was relentless and resembled the senior legend Vanessa (who was sadly not present). Jun Han and Ethan are not to be forgotten as well. The two were like an inseparable duo, working extremely well together as they manoeuvred past opposition defences with tactical movements that were as beautiful as a Bob Ross painting. While B block tried their best, they lost to the monstrous agility and accuracy of C block as they took the match 4-1.
Jun Han flickin’ da wrist to ping a pass forward.
As the frisbee games drew to a close, players headed for a lunch break as the scores were tabulated. The results are as follows:
1st (tied) – D and E Block
2nd- A Block
4th – C Block
5th – B Block
Soccer
After a speedy lunch break, we moved on to the second part of the day: Soccer! It was another highly anticipated sport that many were looking forward and despite the scorching sun, the blocks were all excited for the games to begin.
To kick things off, C and D Blocks took to the field. The first half consisted of only male players, and both teams fielded a lineup with a mix of experienced seniors and up-and-coming freshies. C Block featured their block head Fadi who led with example and spearheaded his team’s offense. Borrowing from his Takraw talent, he skilfully headed a ball into his opponents goalpost, quickly putting a point on the board for his team. His stellar play was backed up by dynamic freshie duo Ashwin and Jonathon with their pin-point passes and dynamite dribbling, weaving through the C Block players like thread through a needle. D Block freshie Lay Chun did his best to slow down C Block’s offense with brilliant defensive plays of his own but the period eventually ended with C Block leading 4-0. The two teams then swapped over their female players for the second half as D Block was determined to mount a comeback. Seniors Luo Ling and Jia Ying did an admirable job as they managed to gain possession of the ball and made a run for the goalpost. However, their shots did not catch the back of the net and C Block remained in the lead. As the final few seconds played on the stopwatch, C Block freshie Shu Yun scored another remarkable goal to seal the victory for her team, 6-0.
Alicia successfully winning a challenge against a C blocker. No blood no foul.
Up next were B and E Blocks! Like the previous match, the two blocks had a good mix of of seasoned seniors and freshies. B Block’s supporters were excellent spirits as they did not let the intense afternoon heat get to them, constantly cheering and even using the loudhailer to spur their team on! And there was much to cheer about as B Block had put on a show for everyone with fan-favourite Bima receiving a lot of warranted attention for his sick plays. A beautiful pass from Bima set up fellow freshie Yuichiro for a vicious shot past the E Block goalie for the first point of the match. E Block senior Keith and freshie Nigel proved to be stiff opposition for B Block, as they fended off plenty of other shots from their opponents to make B Block’s job much tougher. However, it was not enough as B Block had racked up 3 goals by the end of the first half. As the teams switched over, B Block decided to send in an intimidating lineup of females, led by our very own SMC Head Rena! The soccer superstar was on fire throughout her half, easily passing defenders with her quick footwork and extended her team’s lead with a few points of her own. E Block’s Shu Yi brought her joyous enthusiasm to the game as usual and tried to spur a comeback by her team, but there was just too much ground to make up for as B Block took the match 5-0!
Zachary contemplating how he would win the game. Don’t think he did.
The next fixture featured A and D Blocks who were both eager to get their first soccer win of the day. Employing a change in tactics, D Block sent seniors Hong Sheng and honorary D Blocker Isaiah to the field in an effort to establish a quick lead. The two soccer players immediately made an impact to the team as they led their team’s offense with authoritative tackles and passes. Pocket rocket Hong Sheng managed to whiz past an unsuspecting A Blocker and steal possession of the ball, sending a high one to Isaiah who scored a header and sent his block wild with applause! However, A Block was not going to shy away that easily as Freshie Jovi was a key member of their defense, constantly chasing and intercepting balls which would have gone D Block’s way. On the other side, seniors Zac and Irfan orchestrated A Block’s offense and quickly blasted a ball into D Block’s goalpost, tying up the score. The teams remained extremely even throughout and the game was tied at 1-1 and 2-2 after. It was down to the final minute as both teams were vying to score the tiebreaker to take the game. It seemed like D Block had the advantage when A Block’s goalie kicked the ball and instead sent his own boot flying way up in the air (#EHSoarAsOne), but that was quickly reversed when another A Block senior Oli took control of the situation. With a beautiful shot from the left flank, he scored the final goal of the game and sealed the deal for his team, winning the match 3-2
Now A block’s breaking free, soaring, flying.
As the day progressed, the supporters were treated to excellent displays of talent and sportsmanship throughout. Some players were also seen offering cold cans of 100 Plus to their opponents after the match, showcasing what IBG is truly about: camaraderie between the blocks as one Eusoff Hall. At the end of the day, we arrived at the following standings:
1st – C Block
2nd (tied) – A and B Blocks
4th – E Block
5th – D Block
SMC would like to thank every Eusoffian who came down today and braved the unpredictable weather to participate in Frisbee and Soccer, either as a player or supporter (or both). Just 2 more sports until the final IBG cooldown and the stakes are higher than ever. Which block will take the crown? Well, only one way to find out which is to come down to the field @ 7pm on Monday for Day 5 of IBG! See you there!
Comments