Written by: Yusoff Kim Edited by: Leung Lok Heng & Choa Zhao Xiang Photos by: EusoffWorks
Our Sepak Takraw Swag boys took the court in the early hours of the morning against KE7 at MPSH6 for what was about to be a series of good, clean Takraw. The players warmed up with friendly banter, but we all knew that fiery spirit was lit up inside them to kick start their IHG season right.
The day began with a solid line-up of Eun Seong, Gaele and Irfan. They took an early 5-0 lead in the first set against KE7 with solid commanding and takes by Seong, great sets by Irfan and some dazzling strikes courtesy of Gaele’s new $90 haircut. Seong kept the game’s tempo constant with good serves, not showing a single sign of nerves getting to him. “Team Flair”, as they are lovingly called, lived up to their name by displaying their finesse and control of the ball, with Gaele putting up several head fakes so good that even the supporters though he was going to spike the ball over! Seong then served the ball so hard that the KE player had no time to react and sent the ball directly into the stands! They easily claimed the first set 15-3, giving their poor opponents no chance to gather themselves. In the second set, Irfan pulled off a few stretches to save the ball and put it back into play, allowing them to claim a clinical 15-2 victory. Sticking to what they know best, Gaele shows off his insane athleticism, killing a few balls with his bicycle kicks to finish KE7 off 15-3 once again.
Senior Eun Seong with strong serves to give his team the early lead.
First Regu: 3-0 to EH
The Second Regu featured a lineup of Wen Hao, Fadi and Kaw Chun, truly an unfair trio to anyone stepping into the court. Fadi tries to emulate Team Flair in the first set, but sends the ball straight into the ceiling, almost displacing the false roof! Incredible effort but wrong direction, Fadi. Wen Hao, seeing that the ceiling got to touch the ball, felt the net was missing out and let it taste two of his serves, giving KE their first lead of the series at 3-2. But Kaw “Casting Couch” Chun lived up to his name, making everyone else on the court look like amateur as he deftly set a few balls straight into Fadi’s sweet spot to help them reclaim the lead, finishing with a convincing 15-7 scoreline. In set 2, KE7 somehow turns the tables, pulling ahead by 3 points. But Chun Li decides to take matters into his own hands, with back-to-back behind-the-back kills. Fadi and Wenhao need to pay for a physio after this because Chun really put the Regu on his back for this one. With a tight defence, they take that set at the next convincingly at 15-6 and 15-3.
Second Regu: 3-0 to EH
The third Regu features star import player Jo Long, hungry to prove himself after returning to the team for IHG, Dylan and Chun Li in case they choke. Jo Long in the corner starts channelling his chi through his headband and stares intensely at his opponents, intimidating them. He puts up a nice set for Dylan who goes for an absolute KILL. Jo Long’s headband then UNLEASHES all the stored energy, and he smashes it STRAIGHT into the KE court. Though KE7 put up a good fight with 3 straight points, EH rallied back to claim the set 15-10! The Regu then swapped over to an ever more fearsome lineup! Joel subs in with senior bodyguards Sports D “clowning around” Amos and Nic, who looked like he was still in pajamas. Joel instantly makes an impact with his head, getting two kills. KE puts up a tough fight to even the score at 4-all, but Sports D Amos serves a ball so hard that it makes one of his opponents fall to his knees in terror, putting them up 6-5. Amos has a subsequent rough take, but saves it himself as Nic casually puts it in the opposing court with a lookaway tap, sealing the set at 15-8 to EH! In the third set, 11 sports generational talent WeiShineKoh is substituted in to rousing applause from all present, especially himself. Though KE makes a good first kill, the Eusoff Takraw Boys rally together to make sure they know who’s boss, scoring 7 points in a row. With the score at 14-5, Sports D Amos hits them up with one of his HADOUKEN serves, acing them and sealing the deal. Eh 3-0 KE7.
Third Regu: 3-0 to EH
Final Score: EH 3:0 KE7
The Takraw boys start the season strong, with a convincing 100% win rate for all Regus to take the matchup against KE7. Though they were leading most of the time (except when some people started clowning around), they still fought for every point, to the rowdy cheer of the crowd. Let’s go boys! Also check out EusoffWork’s Facebook page to see all the photos of the day’s action.
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