Written by: Ng Sihern
Edited by: Jared Rajiv
Photos by: EusoffWorks
Our squash M team returned to the USC squash courts where they face TH in the IHG 22/23 finals. They lost to TH previously in the prelims, but bounced back with wins against KE in the prelims and KR in the Semis. Now, it was time to take on TH again as they look to get the gold medal.
Our first player is Jiashen. Jiashen had a rough start to the game, losing 11-4 to TH in the first set. The 2nd set was close, with both players placing their shots strategically . Soon, we had the lead and managed to close the set 11-9. With that, Eusoff take the 2nd set. In the 3rd set, Jiashen found himself down 3-8. However, he managed to come back and make it 8 all. He even took the lead and eventually won the set 11-9. Match score is now 2-1 to Eusoff. Unfortunately, the 4th set went to TH with a score of 11-6. Which brings the match to the 5th set to decide the winner. At this point, both players were already very tired. Their legs could barely hold them and the intervals between each serve drew longer as they tried to catch their breath between each point. In the final set, Jiashen found himself down 6-10. After some intense points, he found himself coming back 9-10. TH did manage to close the game 11-9 in the end. The first match goes to TH.
Jiashen's signature forehand shot on full display during the finals
Our next player was Chaitanya. Unfortunately for him being the second player, it meant he had to play against another IVP player from TH. It looked good for chai at the start as he was able to keep his opponent under control but Th soon broke away and the 1st set finished 11-2. In the 2nd set, Chai struggled to find his form, losing 11-0. In the 3rd, Chai did not make it easy for his opponents to score against him. Ultimately, he loses the set 11-3. That's the 2nd match to TH.
3rd Player for EH was Aaron. It was a tough opponent for Aaron as well, who fell 11-1 to TH in the first set. There were very long rallies in this set but the TH player somehow managed to come out on top. In the 2nd set, Aaron started to win more of the rallies but lost 11-4. Aaron did well in the 3rd set but lost 11-7 to TH.
The 4th player was Elvis, who turned up to the match without wearing a jersey. Doesn't matter though because he’s the boss here. Elvis hit his opponent (not literally) with his tricky plays, forcing his opponent out of position many times. He took the first set 11-9. In the 2nd set, the Th player played much better and managed to return Elvis’s tricky hits. TH won the 2nd set 11-6. THe 3rd set was close as well but the TH player managed to take the lead and close the set 11-8. In the 4th set, both players looked really tired. Elvis showed us just how good of a player he was with some amazing skills that i have not seen any player do in this tournament so far. However, TH came out on top, winning the set 11-4.
The last player to take on TH was Sizheng which I just learned that his core sport is badminton. That kind of explains his excellent footwork and agility. The game was a close one. Sizheng defended well against most of his opponents' hits. During 1 point, his racket even slipped off his hand but he managed to pick it up and return the ball. Talk about being lightning quick. Unfortunately, the set ends 11-8. Sizheng ran for everyball and looked like he was unkillable by any of his opponent's hits. All we could hear was the hitting of the squash ball, and the squeaking of his shoes as he made some crazy movements around the court. He was also very flexible, showing us that he is capable of almost doing a split when he went to get the ball. I guess you could say most of the spectators were in awe of his performance. In the end, he lost the 2nd and 3rd set narrowly with a score of 11-9 and 12-10. It was truly a performance undeserving of the result.
Well done Squash M team. It was a good fight against a very strong TH team. Despite losing, they put up performances that deserve the praise and respect from everyone.
Congrats to our Male Squash team for putting on a strong fight in the finals
Eusoff Squash M Finals vs TH
Match 1 . Jiashen
11-4 TH
11-9 EH
11-9 EH
11-6 TH
11-9 TH
Match 1 score: EH 2-3 TH
Match 2. Chiatanya
11-2 TH
11-0 TH
11-3 TH
Match 2 score EH 0-3 TH
Match 3. Aaron
11-1 TH
11-4 TH
11-7 TH
Match 3 score: EH 0-3 TH
Match 4. Elvis
11-7 EH
11-6 TH
11-8 TH
11-4 TH
Match 4 score: EH 1-3 TH
Match 5 Sizheng
11-8 TH
11-9 TH
12-10 TH
Match 5 score EH 0-3 TH
Final game score: EH 0-5 TH
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