Written by: Yusoff Kim Edited by: Leung Lok Heng & Choa Zhao Xiang Photos by: EusoffWorks
On the same day as their KE7 match, the Talented Takraw Temans take the field against Temasek Hall. Though they know their opponents are strong, they’ve proven themselves in their first match-up, and have every intention to take them down.
The First Regu, i.e. “Team Flair” ( If you don’t know what I’m talking about, go read my articles I put in a lot of effort for these!), consisting of Eun Seong Heung Min, Gaelethedragonslayer and Irfan Fandi Ahmad start strong, rallying to a 5-3 lead over TH. Irfan then decimates the opponents with an absolute banger of a header off of Seong’s ridiculously placed set.Though there were some controversial calls during this set due to the umpires’ sudden use of goal line technology (TH photography), the boys proved that BALL DON’T LIE and managed to hit back at every point that TH scored with two of their own, pulling through 15-9 to claim the first set of the series! The boys start off the second set strong, with clear leadership by Seong and ridiculous finesse headers by Gaele pulling them ahead to 3-2 over TH. But revitalised from the break, TH makes a series of good kills to put themselves up 7-4 over EH.Gaele then makes an insane block off a TH kill, but the ball rolls down the net and barely teeters into the EH court, putting them up 12-8. Gaele then decides that enough is enough, hitting back to back bicycle kicks off of Irfan’s sets to bring the score to 12-10 to TH. A long stretch from Gaele is betrayed by a small slip allowing TH to claim a point. Though the set stays close, TH eventually gets a good kill the to take this set for themselves.Set 3 starts with intense volleys of the ball, putting the score at 7-all. But Eun Seong starts channelling his entire striker, putting the ball into the back of the net twice. Though Gaele comes through with a few good headers, TH eventually takes the set and the Regu 3-1.
Gaele can not only slay dragons, but his opponents as well with his powerful shots.
First Regu: 3-1 to TH
The second Regu featuring Fadi, WenHao and Chun take the field, starting strong with a nasty serve by Wen Hao to put them up. Chun lands a few good takes into solid sets, and Fadi finished them off, putting EH up by 3. A tight defence played by Wen Hao, as well as several solid behind-the-back blocks by Fadi keeps TH’s scoring low, and eventually catapults the lead to 9-3. Unfortunately, a TH supporter knocks down all the barriers out of nowhere and the momentum starts to turn, as the score is tied 12-12. Chun pulls of a solid take, but TH manages to hit a few commendable kills, taking the first set 15-13.The second set starts in a similar way, with the teams at an even 4 points each.Though they fall to a small deficit, big boy Wen Hao pulls off a Sports D Amos serve and aces the TH players, pulling the score back even. Fadi then pulls off a series of fortunate events, having stopped playing for the gram and playing for the game instead, claiming the set of our Takraw Temaners. Th starts the third set strong, getting in a few good bicycle kicks. Unlucky placement and faltering communication allows the TH boys to get a 10-4 lead over us. Captain Fadi then calls a strategic timeout, and after a quick pep talk with ex-captain Irfan, the boys get back into the game, fire in their eyes and Takraw in the hearts. Fadi pulls off an amazing head fake over the net and his synergy with setting Chun brings in a quick 4 points for EH. Unfortunately, the deficit was too great to overcome, and they take the third set as well. The fourth set begins with a solid Serve by Wen Hao, converting into a point. Fadi takes a few rather nasty kills, almost forcing the TH Regu to retire, putting Eh up 4-0. As the team puts up a strong attacking front, their opponents call a timeout as well to recoup, and eventually score enough to bring the game to a heart-pounding 14-all draw. Eh strikes first as Wen Hao aces straight through the TH defence, bringing them to 15. But TH pulls out two kills to bring it to 16, evenly matched by some solid hustle by Fadi and Chun to even out the score. Unfortunately, TH’s strong kill is received roughly by WenHao, handing TH the Regu.
Wen Hao goes for another blistering serve.
Second Regu: 3-1 to TH
The final Regu starts off with Sports D Amos, Joel and Nic, a truly fearsome showing playing some form of drunken shaolin soccer. Sports D Amos starts some solid banter off by slamming the ball into the net twice, then serving it up on a silver platter straight to the TH stands. Better them than us, right? Though Nic makes several solid hustles, a few unfortunate takes gives TH an early lead, which they capitalize into a 15-7 win to take the set. Set 2 starts stronger for our boys, as Joel begins to show off his signature “ no-leg takraw”, heading two balls straight over the net for some instant points. Nic then Ban Kais out of nowhere, sending a flying kill into the TH side, putting Eh up by 3. Joel, presumably because his head hurts, misses a header, but the ball falls into the opposing area anyway ! 13-11 to EH! A few good rallies ends up in a familiar 13-all situation, but this time our boys take the set off an insanely quick header from “no-leg” Joel to take the set 15-13! Set 3 starts with an anime-esque serve from Amos, causing the game to devolve into pinball. Got the points though, #worth. TH gets a few good blocks in, but try to emulate the earlier flying kick and one of them almost lands upside down. Good effort but the gram life isn’t for you, bro. Though the boys put up a good fight, they go down 15-8 to TH. Set 4 starts once again with a solid shot by Amos, followed by a gymnastic ballet take by Nic, almost face-planting into the floor to save the ball. Game 6-4 to TH. Joel puts 2 over the Th side to tie the game, but Amos feels it’s getting too easy and serves the ball straight into the net twice. Hong Sheng, our other import player, then takes the field to substitute Amos, but follows in his footsteps and passes it straight to the net! TH feels the fomo and serves it straight into the net too, but get a good serve next which was met by JOEL FINALLY USING HIS LEGS! And boy what a treat that was. Now we know why he refuses to use his legs. It would be absolutely unfair for anyone else if he showed his true potential. Score at 14-12 to TH, the boys take a quick pep talk and ready themselves for a do or die moment. A quick serve by Hong Sheng puts the TH players in a precarious position, but they eventually get off a nice kill, which Nic barely gets a foot to, but it flies too far for them to set. Fourth set 15-12 to TH!
Third Regu: 3-1 to TH
Final Score: EH 0:3 TH
Though on paper the games may look one-sided, that was some of the most hard-fought matches I’ve ever seen, and I used to live above a takraw court! ( Those kids were noisy but it’s okay let’s pull them to EH!) The boys fought hard to keep every set close, they hustled hard to recover and shake off their mistakes, and most importantly they put up a good show for all present. Good stuff from our Takraw boys today! Come down to support their next match and watch them get back their mojo for the finals! Visit EusoffWork’s Facebook page to catch more photos of our boys in action.
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