Written By: Eldred Sng Edited By: Valerie Chua & Jolene Wong Photographs By: EusoffWorks
Today marked the start of the IHG Sepak Takraw season, with our Takraw Temans up against Raffles Hall (RH) in the first preliminary round, held at MPSH 6. Spirits were running high with our Takraw players warming up in the court, belting out passes and services with an air of practiced ease. A sea of yellow was also slowly gathering, with Eusoffians slowly arriving at the venue to show their support.
FIRST REGU
Line-up: Hyrie Marcus Leow Wen Hao Aaron Nicholas
EH 1-0 RH
Eusoff started out strong, with Hyrie taking a point with an amazing take, and Marcus Leow dishing out service aces to the RH players, bringing the score of the first set to 6-1. However, due to some unforced errors and a tinge of bad luck, with multiple shots hitting the net and just going over, RH rallied back and managed to almost equalise, bringing the score back to 11-10 in favour of EH. Nevertheless, with consistent effort from the C Block trio, Marcus, Hyrie and Wen Hao, EH proceeded to win 4 more points and snatched the first set with a final score of 15-11 to Eusoff.
EH 2-0 RH
In the second set, there were less unforced errors coming from both teams, with the players already warmed up from the first set. This match was much more even, with the score coming to 8-8 after a period of nail-biting rallies. RH pushed on and managed to bring the score to 14-13 in their favour. However, at this crucial moment, one of the RH players committed a foul by touching the net, bringing the score back level to 14-14, going into deuce. EH quickly seized this opportunity with Wen Hao scoring a crucial kill, allowing EH to take the second set with a final score of 16-14.
EH 3-0 RH
In the third set, there was a substitution made for EH, with Aaron and Nicholas coming in for Wen Hao and Marcus. With this fresh burst of energy, EH barrelled forward, quickly bringing the score to 12-9 in favour of EH. After a few more moments of exciting gameplay, Aaron executes a clinical kill, taking the final point and winning the last set.
EH’s first regu takes the first win with a final score of 3-0!
SECOND REGU
Line-up: Irfan Marcus Tan Fadi Kawchun
EH 1-0 RH
The first set started out evenly, with unforced errors on both sides, bringing the score to 3-4 in favour of RH. Captain Irfan proceeds to score an amazing kill, with the ball just sailing over the net, leaving RH stunned, allowing EH to take the lead. However, RH fought back valiantly, levelling the score at 9-9. Fadi then proceeds to rescue a point from behind the court, and he follows that up with a sick kill, bringing the score to 13-10 in favour of EH. With consistent efforts from Marcus, Fadi and Irfan, EH then took the first set with a score of 15-11.
EH 1-1 RH
RH started out really strong in the second set, taking EH by surprise, with the score coming to 5-2 in favour of RH. With consistent effort from Fadi, who always seemed to be at the right place at the right time to bring the ball in for a kill, EH put up a strong fight and managed to bring the score back level at 7-7. However, after a series of unforced errors, RH pulled away and eventually took the second set with a score of 15-11.
EH 2-1 RH
RH started out strong again, with the score coming to 3-1 in favour of RH. However, EH refused to be beaten, and with consistent defence plays by Marcus and Irfan, they brought the score level at 8-8. Clinical kills by Fadi provided the much needed momentum for EH, allowing them to take down the third set with a score of 15-12.
EH 3-1 RH
The fourth set started out rather intense, as this would determine whether our Takraw boys would take the second regu or move on to a fifth set. A substitution was made, with Fadi being subbed by Kawchun. Kawchun didn’t disappoint, with him swiftly placing an amazing shot, bringing the score to 9-7 in favour of EH. However, RH fought back strongly, taking the lead and bringing the score to 13-11 in favour of RH. Nevertheless, EH’s second regu kept their cool under the pressure and clawed their way back up top with a sick kill by Kawchun, bringing the score to a deuce of 14-14. Both teams proceeded to have an epic showdown, taking turns to claim points and bringing the score eventually to 16-16. With the set score capped at 17, whoever won the next point would take down the set. Fortunately, EH’s ability to stay cool under pressure shown through, allowing them to claim the final point and win the last set with a close score of 17-16.
In the end, EH’s second regu takes the second win with a score of 3-1.
THIRD REGU
Line-up: Isaiah Dat Eun Seong Hong Sheng Ikhsan
EH 1-0 RH
The first set started off really well for EH, with Isaiah’s sick kill bringing the score to 6-2 in EH’s favour. EH’s third regu simply built on the forward momentum, with solid teamwork and chemistry, and widened their lead to 11-6. EH wins an easy first set with a final score of 15-10.
EH 2-0 RH
Building on the momentum of the first set’s victory, EH’s third regu pummelled forward, with ex-captain Dat finishing off kills left and right, bringing the score to 9-4 in EH’s favour. This regu displayed top class chemistry and teamwork in this set, and everything went perfectly according to plan, allowing EH to take the second set with a score of 15-4.
EH 3-0 RH
Going in to the third set, some changes to the line-up were made and Dat, Hong Sheng and Ikhsan stepped on to the court. This match was much more even, with RH getting their game on. Dat, Hong Sheng and Ikhsan all showed consistent effort in both defence and attack, bringing the score to a tie at 9-9. RH pulled ahead for a moment with a series of clinical kills and takes, but EH managed to equalize, bringing the score to a tie at 15-15. Finally, Dat completes an epic kill, winning the third set with a score of 17-15!
With that, EH’s third regu takes the third win with a score of 3-0.
The Takraw Temans have proved their ability to stay calm in high pressure situations, with the results of countless hours of trainings speaking for themselves. With today’s victory over RH, they are sure on track to clinching the gold this year! What a game!
Comments