(by Wade Townsend)
World Cadet Challenge: Day one wrap-up
Day one at the 2017 World Cadet Challenge was packed full of matches as the globe’s most talented kids battled through three team matches for a place in the main draw.
New kids on the block
North America upset the seeding in the Girls’ Team Event by going through Europe with ease. Team Europe could only get one win on the board, while in the other four encounters North America didn’t drop a game.
“Actually I think we had the advantage actually,” said Maggie Tian, the North American Girls’ Team Coach. “Starting from yesterday we already prepared for the match. So for us it wasn’t a surprise.”
And how about their semi final matchup against their neighbours?
“Against Latin America once again we have the advantage. And we’re going to the final… well I wish.” Maggie Tian, North America Girls’ Team Coach
Hopes dashed
Also in the Girls’ Event, Team Hopes found themselves trailing 2-0 against a spirited Latin America. The global team fought hard and levelled the score 2-2. But the dream comeback didn’t unfold. Latin America upset the seeding and secured a place in the semi final.
Asia simply awesome
Asia were the clear leaders in the both the Boys’ and Girls’ Team Events, with 5-0 wins across the board. They have been clean and efficient in all of their matches so far and are going to be a tough team to beat in both events.
By the numbers
The boys’ group stage followed the script to the letter, without any upsets on Day 1 as results stuck to the seeding. North America almost had a perfect day as their boys’ squad was able to take two wins against Team Europe, before going down 3-2. Perhaps the standout player of the day was Michael Minh Tran who can aptly be now known as the comeback kid. Twice he found himself down 0-2 and on both occasions he came back to win.
Check out the draw for positions 1-4 and positions 5-8.
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