Written by: Ng Sihern
Edited by: Jared Rajiv
Photos by: EusoffWorks
Finally, the moment we have all been waiting for, the start of IHG. For our Squash M team, they face a huge challenge for their opening match as they take on defending champions Temasek Hall. With the swim IHG happening right beside the squash courts, we could hear the cheers from many Eusoffians who were supporting both the swim and squash team.
After a bit of delay from the previous match, our match finally started. Jia Shen was first up to play against TH. This looked to be a very interesting match as players from both halls were IVP players. From teammates to opponents, this may seem like one of their IVP training matches where they play against each other for training. In the first set, Jia Shen had a strong start, leading 5-2 .This was after some smart tactical plays and good defending by him to survive the opponents lethal attacks. His strong start continued as he extended his lead to 9-3. Eventually, Jia Shen finished the set 11-3. In the second set, Jia Shen took first blood with a tactical high ball that TH was unable to return, earning him the point. Both players were neck and neck as both sides were earning points one after another(5-5), unable to pull away from each other. Unfortunately, TH managed to take the lead and pull away, winning the set 11-7. In the third set, JIa Shen looked to get his revenge on the previous set. He started strong with a 4-1 lead. However, TH managed to close the gap to 4-3. Jia Shen regained his focus and extended his lead to 7-3. Some strong plays from TH and our lead disappeared, the score was now 7-7! Although it might be demoralizing to see a strong lead gone, Jia Shen remained focused and closed the set 11-9. HE only needed 1 more set! In the 4th set, both players started strong and the score was 2-2. However, Jia Shen soon took the lead, bringing it to 7-2! That's like 5 points in a row. TH managed to get only one more point from this set and a strong display from Jia Shen closes the set 11-3. AND EUSOFF TAKE THE FIRST SET!
Jia Shen unleashing a stinging left-handed backhand shot
The next player to take on TH is Elvis. It was a close fight between both players at the start as they played to 3-3. At the next point, Elvis won the point but TH contested, resulting in the point being replayed. As the saying goes - “Ball don’t lie”. Although the referee’s decision seemed debatable, Elvis still won the replayed point. The 2 players remained neck and neck, attacking and defending well as the score went to 6-6. Then, Elvis started to gain momentum and pulled away, finishing the set 11-9 and EH took the first set. The second set was very close, with both players inseparable as the score reached 9-9. TH managed to close the set 11-9. In the third set, it was when fatigue started to kick in for Elvis. He put up a strong fight but struggled to break through TH’s strong defense. The set ended 11-2. As it stands, it is 2-1 to TH. Coming into the 4th set, Elvis knew that he had to win this set and force a 5th set to win against them. The 4th set was quite similar to the 3rd as Th took a huge lead to 10-2. Despite the scoreline, Elvis didn’t give up and fought back to 10-7. Eventually, TH took the set 11-7. The score was now tied at 1-1.
Elvis getting ready to cause problems for his opponent with his serve
In the 3rd set, it was A-a-ron’s turn to face TH. He had a shaky start, allowing TH to gain a lead of 7-2. After some good rallies, Aaron looked to be able to come back and close the gap. But TH won the set 11-5. Honestly, squash players are so skilled, like the ball is moving everywhere so quickly I have no idea how they return the balls. In the 2nd set, Aaron looked to bounce back from the first set. Despite a strong start, the set finished similar to the first, with the score of 11-5. Like Elvis, the fatigue started to kick in for Aaron in the 3rd set. With all the running around in this high intensity game, it is no surprise they are so tired. Despite TH taking a strong lead, Aaron gave his best and put up a good fight against TH. The set ends 11-4. TH take this match. The score is now 2-1 to TH.
Our next player is Sizheng. Entering the match, Sizheng knew that he needed to win this match to bring the overall score to 2-2 in order to have a chance at winning the game. Sizheng attacked with very powerful shots but somehow TH managed to defend against them. Good plays from both sides but it was TH who came up on top, taking the set 11-4. In the 2nd set, we started to see more EH supporters coming down to support the squash team. You could see Sizheng smiling because of all the cheers! He seems so overwhelmed by the EH supporters! TH had a big lead of 10-2. But Sizheng still remained hopeful and fought back. He managed to climb back to 10-7 but TH finished the set 11-7. He managed to save 5 match points! In the 3rd set, EH looked much stronger, fighting to a score of 7-7. However, TH managed to close the set 11-7. Sizheng really gave his all for the game, diving everyone to return the ball. The score now is 3-1 and TH take the game.
Our last player is none other than our captain Yong Jie. The game was quite even, with both players testing each other out, looking for their weaknesses. The points were close, 4-4. TH then managed to start taking the lead of 3 points. However, Yong Jie recovered quickly and brought the score back to 8-7. The set ended 11-8 to TH. In the 2nd set, TH took an early lead but yongjie caught back up to make it 4-4. Then, it was EH turn to lead as they brought the score to 7-5. TH caught back up and the score was 8-8, a really close match. EH managed to bring it to the set point with a score of 10-8 but TH somehow caught back up to make it 10-10. Some silly mistakes by TH and EH take the set 12-10. In the 3rd set, based on the previous sets, is the set where fatigue sets in… And it was no different for Yongjie. EH gave their best but the set ended 11-2 to TH. This was when Yongjie realized he needed to switch things up. So he changed…His shirt. Looks likes CNY came early with Yongjie switching to a red shirt, very huat. Just kidding guys, his jersey was soaked. Look at the effort that our squash players are putting in. With his new shirt, Yongjie looked recharged and put up a great fight against the opponent. The scores were tight but TH managed to take a small lead, making the score 8-6. But TH finished the set 11-6.
Our cheer team giving their unwavering support despite the score
Despite a strong start, taking the first match, TH emerged stronger and took the game with a score of 4-1. The squash players were faced with a daunting challenge for playing against the defending IHG champions but put up a strong fight and gave it their all. We did not make the game easy for TH either, putting up a real challenge. Although it wasn’t the ideal way to start IHG, the squash players remained optimistic and looked to bounce back in their next match against KEVII on the 17th of January.
Eusoff Prelims vs TH
1. Jia Shen:
11-3 to EH
11-7 to TH
11-9 to EH
11-3 to EH
Match Score: 3-1 to EH ✨
2. Elvis
11-9 to EH
11-9 to TH
11-2 to TH
11-7 to TH
Match score: 3-1 to TH
3. Aaron
11-5 to TH
11-5 to TH
11-4 to TH
Match Score: 3-0 to TH
4. Sizheng
11-4 to TH
11-7 to TH
11-7 to TH
Match score: 3-0 to TH
5. Yongjie
11-8 to TH
12-10 to EH
11-2 to TH
11-6 to TH
Match score: 3-1 to TH
OVERALL SCORE: 4-1 to TH
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