Every time I watch these two guys play, my jaw drops at the level of speed, fitness, and athleticism on display. Two of the fittest (and fairest) men ever to play the game without a doubt, both very evenly matched, and always a pleasure to watch them do battle.
I kinda disagree. The tempo in which Ramy played was and is still on a whole other level. The same goes for Nick Matthew, Shabana, Gaultier and prime Mohamed ElShorbagy. The fact that Mohamed can still perform at this level while clearly being far away from his prime level says everything. That truly was the golden era. Farag is a wonderful player and one the best ever, but he would struggle and he in fact did struggle playing against prime Ramy, prime Gaultier, prime Matthew and prime MES.
@@aristosetroirono8888I don't think ashour was on another level - he upgraded the sport to the quality and tempo that it is today. Ashour standardised the high quality chaos! And yeah farag struggled against the greats, but that was well before he himself was in his prime. Unfair to raise that as a valid point.
@@cookesam6 losing faith in the modern squash fan. No player can rival prime Ramy. In fact he beat a prime elshorbagy 3-0. That same elshorbagy would have 90+ minute thrillers with farag in the same season and following seasons. Prime Ramy was the greatest squash player we have ever seen and may ever see. And then remember the fact he did all of that on one leg and with recurrent injuries. The guy was an anomaly and to say Coll would beat him 3-0 is beyond delusional
Not sure if he was exhausted due to fasting. When I have fasted in the past I have run my best times. When fasting you are often energised and feel very fresh and bright.
@@Martin-pb7tsmate he wasn’t doing intermittent fasting. It was a fast that started early in the morning and continued while he was playing. And it was without water, food and any other solid or liquid. Hence extremely tough to play a fierce squash game under such conditions.
@@Martin-pb7ts smh bro start fasting with no water and food from sunrise to sunset and let me see u run your best time. i tried that once vomited, and was almost on the way to the hospital lmaoo
@@shehzadabbasi1917 not really: 1. The ball was nowhere near Coll; Farag would have asked for a review if he was sure; 2. The score was 9-7, so even if he got a stroke, it wasn't match point.
Incredible battle. As always so much respect for the mental strength, Coll coming back and fighting out points match ball down, Farag hanging with him to the very end though clearly spent physically.
@@michaelpham6379will if that god didn't want his faithful to be beaten by a heathen, then he should've written that down somewhere. Still a good game 🎉
@@TLPardey you don’t understand, Farag is doing Ramadan, that means he can’t eat or drink anything. Farag would of won if he wasn’t fasting. You need to get educated and learn about Ramadan
@@michaelpham6379 Farag has won finals while on ramadan fast before. He didn't win this one because his opponent was too good. You know it sure as hell still "counts" (what are you 12?)
@@cookesam6 Coll had Asal in the Semi Finals, Asal was also doing Ramadan so that would be an easy win for Coll. A walk in a park. Coll was fresh and Farag was weak and slow. So this match really doesn’t count due to Ramadan
Absolutely amazing squash by both men. Ali, you are such a smart squash player, by far the best. Paul, you just never give up. Also, the amount of respect you both have for each other is awesome to watch. No silly antics at the end, just a good hand shake and talk. Awesome. Love watching you both play. 😊
It's been fascinating to see the return of the lob! A few years ago these were rare in top matches, usually played only as a last resort under duress, or by a few specialists like Annie Au. Now it seems like every 2nd shot here was a lob! Farag's lobs are amazing, but they mostly serve to extend the rallies (and games) which wasn't to his advantage here. I wonder if he'll use them less next time against a ferocious grinder like Coll.
Can someone explain the decision at 6:32? It kinda feels like Farag is ready for the volley. In my opinion, shouldn't it at least be a let for safety? Surely, his follow-through would hit Coll?
Felt like the referee kinda punished him for trying to get a cheap stroke in a crucial moment. But Ali is not like that. The ball was way off the wall. He could have hit Coll. A let would be a fair call and the right one imho.
not a good decision, suprised by the lady commentator who said great decision, Coll's return was not a tight return, way off the wall, and it was directly returning on his path, Farag went in, there was no way he could have played a volley shot, whn Coll cleared, as the ball went past Coll, Farag had already indicated he was holding his short. Yes a let would have been fair but some ref could have given a stroke, wish it was reviewed.
@@360-vv9Yup, I don't think he was fishing, but he clearly knew he made the wrong decision to stop play there. He saw that Coll sprayed his ball a little bit and made a split second decision to stop that he knew was wrong, or at least very questionable, a moment later.
Only Superman could come back from 2-0 down to beat Farag. I am still in awe as to how that guy manages to perform this well without hydrating! Sports science needs to take a look at this some time...
Same with eating and fasting. In the past when I have been running a lot (I am not a pro athlete) I have without fail run better times after a day of fasting. All my PBs were on fasting days.
@@michaelpham6379you sound butt hurt about this false idol worship. It does count, and coll has beaten Farag on other occasions. Coll was just better, tougher, and stronger.
@@stevehughes1510 but he’s doing Ramadan, he can’t eat or drink. You need to educate yourself and learn about Ramadan. I am a sportsperson and with my squash knowledge, Farag would of won if he didn’t do Ramadan
I don't know how they score points against each other, they pick up like everything 😳 Coll is so quick to the lowest shots and there is no too tight ball to return for Farag
@@arnaud78 you don’t understand, Farag is doing Ramadan. He’s not allowed to have food or water. That’s why Farag was so slow and weak. Ramadan is a real thing, google it I’m not joking
@@michaelpham6379 I know what Ramadan is, but they are still allowed to eat and drink during non-daylight hours. Farag wasn't starved, the only real setback was that he couldn't drink until later in the match when the "daylight hours" ended. He got through to the final of the tournament against some strong opponents, so it obviously wasn't a huge hindrance.
@@michaelpham6379 come on man the mental resilience it takes to come back from 2-0 down is incredible. he saved a ton of 9-9 points as well. very good performance
@@sidramachandran-dp3oy yeah but Farag was doing Ramadan, that means he’s not allowed to eat or drink anything. Not even water. Search up Ramadan and you’ll understand what I’m saying
@@stevemd6488 one has to have the experience of this month to know how it changes one's functioning of the body for the whole day/month - at this point though, it kind'a seems like he needs to be handicapped to be beat, as he really is in a purple patch of his career 😊
imagine how stupid it is to have a believe that should make you stronger is making you weaker. What a eye opener for all religious people. In situation where whole championship could be won, a final match that is purely in hand of greatest Ali, you choose to lose ...
PSA would do well to schedule their tournaments better, with a majority of their top twenty players observing a month of fasting, such matches will always come with an indelible asterisk, which may or may not be warranted - it's an easy fix and can be a welcome mini break from an incredibly packed tournament schedule for the pros
At this point Farag has to be an android or something, Coll played very well but he must know Farag due to Ramadan was not 100%, this match took a lot for Coll so when Farag is at 100% can Coll win then
Coll is a cheat, and very cheep for celebrating the way he did beating Farag while fasting, it’s a disgraceful from Coll, but not surprising, Coll has always been a cheat
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Every time I watch these two guys play, my jaw drops at the level of speed, fitness, and athleticism on display. Two of the fittest (and fairest) men ever to play the game without a doubt, both very evenly matched, and always a pleasure to watch them do battle.
They're a wicked pair to watch hey
wow - I was n still am a big fan of Ramy Ashour, but watching these guys I kinda feel that squash has reached a new level.
I'm with you there. I would say that Ramy is the giant on whose shoulders these guys are standing.
I kinda disagree. The tempo in which Ramy played was and is still on a whole other level. The same goes for Nick Matthew, Shabana, Gaultier and prime Mohamed ElShorbagy. The fact that Mohamed can still perform at this level while clearly being far away from his prime level says everything. That truly was the golden era. Farag is a wonderful player and one the best ever, but he would struggle and he in fact did struggle playing against prime Ramy, prime Gaultier, prime Matthew and prime MES.
Coll would easily beat Ramy Ashour 3-0
@@aristosetroirono8888I don't think ashour was on another level - he upgraded the sport to the quality and tempo that it is today. Ashour standardised the high quality chaos!
And yeah farag struggled against the greats, but that was well before he himself was in his prime. Unfair to raise that as a valid point.
@@cookesam6 losing faith in the modern squash fan. No player can rival prime Ramy. In fact he beat a prime elshorbagy 3-0. That same elshorbagy would have 90+ minute thrillers with farag in the same season and following seasons. Prime Ramy was the greatest squash player we have ever seen and may ever see. And then remember the fact he did all of that on one leg and with recurrent injuries. The guy was an anomaly and to say Coll would beat him 3-0 is beyond delusional
Huge respect to Ali playing through complete exhaustion due to fasting. Hope he recovers well. And to Paul for hanging tough till the end. Epic match.
Not sure if he was exhausted due to fasting. When I have fasted in the past I have run my best times. When fasting you are often energised and feel very fresh and bright.
thats right.@@Martin-pb7ts
@@Martin-pb7ts Not drinking either
@@Martin-pb7tsmate he wasn’t doing intermittent fasting. It was a fast that started early in the morning and continued while he was playing. And it was without water, food and any other solid or liquid. Hence extremely tough to play a fierce squash game under such conditions.
@@Martin-pb7ts smh bro start fasting with no water and food from sunrise to sunset and let me see u run your best time. i tried that once vomited, and was almost on the way to the hospital lmaoo
The No Let in the 3rd has restored faith in an individual Referee being able to make the right call at the right time!!!
Finally, without going to the video ref!
In fact Paul lost the match there.. wrong call from umpire
@@shehzadabbasi1917 not really: 1. The ball was nowhere near Coll; Farag would have asked for a review if he was sure; 2. The score was 9-7, so even if he got a stroke, it wasn't match point.
What a match from both and what a fight by the kiwi. These two always bring the best out of each other
Great performance from 2/0 down 👏🏻 congrats to both champions
Incredible battle. As always so much respect for the mental strength, Coll coming back and fighting out points match ball down, Farag hanging with him to the very end though clearly spent physically.
Spent physically as he was fasting without any food and liquids. That’s an incredible feat which to me looks super human.
First - amazing match by both players. Kudos to Coll for keeping up the fight until the very end.
Coll only won cause Farag was doing Ramadan, this doesn’t count
@@michaelpham6379will if that god didn't want his faithful to be beaten by a heathen, then he should've written that down somewhere.
Still a good game 🎉
@@TLPardey you don’t understand, Farag is doing Ramadan, that means he can’t eat or drink anything. Farag would of won if he wasn’t fasting. You need to get educated and learn about Ramadan
@@michaelpham6379 Farag has won finals while on ramadan fast before. He didn't win this one because his opponent was too good. You know it sure as hell still "counts" (what are you 12?)
@@cookesam6 Coll had Asal in the Semi Finals, Asal was also doing Ramadan so that would be an easy win for Coll. A walk in a park. Coll was fresh and Farag was weak and slow. So this match really doesn’t count due to Ramadan
I really don't know how one can possibly defeat ali-en. You have tò win a single point three times at least. Paul made the miracle. Chapeau
Amazing match from both players. Always entertaining to watch 🎉🎉
Wow. What a match.
A classic for the history books between these amazing gentlemen and extraordinary players!
Respect for Ali Farag given its Ramadan
Keep in mind Farag took Coll to 11-9 in the 5th while fasting for Ramadan. Absolute beast.
Great match Ali and still fasting 👏. Congrats Paul Coll👏. What a match👍
Wow breathtaking game, squash of the highest order and Coll pulling through with nerves of steel and a lot of grit
Absolutely amazing squash by both men.
Ali, you are such a smart squash player, by far the best.
Paul, you just never give up.
Also, the amount of respect you both have for each other is awesome to watch.
No silly antics at the end, just a good hand shake and talk. Awesome.
Love watching you both play. 😊
What a turnaround! That match had such amazing squash and swings of momentum!
Are These two human beings ? Amazing squash 🎉
Insane match. Coll is a real gentleman at the end… well done sir!
Feels like every final is Farag v Coll these days 😅
It's been fascinating to see the return of the lob! A few years ago these were rare in top matches, usually played only as a last resort under duress, or by a few specialists like Annie Au. Now it seems like every 2nd shot here was a lob! Farag's lobs are amazing, but they mostly serve to extend the rallies (and games) which wasn't to his advantage here. I wonder if he'll use them less next time against a ferocious grinder like Coll.
One of the best games I've watched in a very long while
That was such a sweet speech from coll at the end, what a good lad
Gilis watching coll with love hahah
What a come back.
Absolutely sensational match!
I love these guys.
THAT is Squash
Huge come from behind win for Kiwi sensation Paul Coll. Phenomenal fightback.
Impressive . Supper Impressive. Have always believed Col is exceptional. Wonderful mental strength 💪
Coll only won cause Farag was doing Ramadan, this doesn’t count
Can someone explain the decision at 6:32? It kinda feels like Farag is ready for the volley. In my opinion, shouldn't it at least be a let for safety? Surely, his follow-through would hit Coll?
I must say that decision is also puzzling to me. I would have said at least a let, as well.
Felt like the referee kinda punished him for trying to get a cheap stroke in a crucial moment. But Ali is not like that. The ball was way off the wall. He could have hit Coll. A let would be a fair call and the right one imho.
the ball was past, you can see farag immediately agree with the decision
not a good decision, suprised by the lady commentator who said great decision, Coll's return was not a tight return, way off the wall, and it was directly returning on his path, Farag went in, there was no way he could have played a volley shot, whn Coll cleared, as the ball went past Coll, Farag had already indicated he was holding his short. Yes a let would have been fair but some ref could have given a stroke, wish it was reviewed.
@@360-vv9Yup, I don't think he was fishing, but he clearly knew he made the wrong decision to stop play there. He saw that Coll sprayed his ball a little bit and made a split second decision to stop that he knew was wrong, or at least very questionable, a moment later.
Crazy match. Well played both 🫶🏻
Only Superman could come back from 2-0 down to beat Farag. I am still in awe as to how that guy manages to perform this well without hydrating! Sports science needs to take a look at this some time...
Same with eating and fasting. In the past when I have been running a lot (I am not a pro athlete) I have without fail run better times after a day of fasting. All my PBs were on fasting days.
@@Martin-pb7ts It's in the word ;)
Coll only won cause Farag was doing Ramadan, this doesn’t count
@@Martin-pb7ts Farag has been (playing) and fasting for more than a day though (I realize he can eat at night).
@@michaelpham6379you sound butt hurt about this false idol worship. It does count, and coll has beaten Farag on other occasions. Coll was just better, tougher, and stronger.
Wow. Well played. Never give up.
Holy moly what a game!!!!
Never seen Ali tire out. That's impressive for Coll keeping it going to the end.
That was awesome!
Amazing game from amazing players
Brilliant performance by Coll. It takes some effort to beat Faraq .
Well done Paul, such a battle.
Coll only won cause Farag was doing Ramadan, this doesn’t count
@@michaelpham6379 Ali shouldn't have played the tournament. It counts alright.
@@stevehughes1510 yeah but he’s doing Ramadan, that means he can’t eat or drink, search up Ramadan and you’ll know what I’m saying
@@michaelpham6379 You're not a sportsperson are you. If you play, you either win or lose and Ali lost.
@@stevehughes1510 but he’s doing Ramadan, he can’t eat or drink. You need to educate yourself and learn about Ramadan. I am a sportsperson and with my squash knowledge, Farag would of won if he didn’t do Ramadan
Great work, well played. Would have been nice to hear Ali's comments though.
Omg that was astonishing...
Farag just worn out in the end had no stamina left,great match and a credit to both players and the game of squash👍🥳
It looked like his leg was also bothering him.
What a pleasure see Coll flying this way
Finaly he's on the #1 way soon
Coll only won cause Farag was doing Ramadan, this doesn’t count
I don't know how they score points against each other, they pick up like everything 😳 Coll is so quick to the lowest shots and there is no too tight ball to return for Farag
damn reverse sweeping Ali Farag is no joke, that's crazy
Fabulous match both guys. Coll’s pure physicality was the x-factor. (Has Coll lost his ability to drop winners with greater regularity?)
Wow!
Coll is an absolute endurance monster. In terms of skill Farag was clearly better, but he lost the marathon to coll.
Where is this Optasia game played, what city? Go Coll!
Wimbledon South West London.
Coll showing his physical dominance over Farag here
Come on Coll! 🎉🎉
Coll only won cause Farag was doing Ramadan, this doesn’t count
These two are both supermen
Wow…at 0-2 down I thought it was over for Coll
Coll only won cause Farag was doing Ramadan, this doesn’t count
@@michaelpham6379You're not entirely wrong, Farag definitely wasn't playing at his best, but Coll still earned it and it still counts.
@@arnaud78 you don’t understand, Farag is doing Ramadan. He’s not allowed to have food or water. That’s why Farag was so slow and weak. Ramadan is a real thing, google it I’m not joking
@@michaelpham6379 I know what Ramadan is, but they are still allowed to eat and drink during non-daylight hours. Farag wasn't starved, the only real setback was that he couldn't drink until later in the match when the "daylight hours" ended. He got through to the final of the tournament against some strong opponents, so it obviously wasn't a huge hindrance.
@@arnaud78 you don’t make any sense, search up Ramadan and learn about it. Trust me you’ll be surprise what they do
well done coll. immense achievement.
Coll only won cause Farag was doing Ramadan, this doesn’t count
@@michaelpham6379 come on man the mental resilience it takes to come back from 2-0 down is incredible. he saved a ton of 9-9 points as well. very good performance
@@sidramachandran-dp3oy yeah but Farag was doing Ramadan, that means he’s not allowed to eat or drink anything. Not even water. Search up Ramadan and you’ll understand what I’m saying
Wow. Farag just there for every shot in the first two games then seems like he lost his legs
he's fasting
@@ZeeShaanJamal was. But I always love self handicappers so it’s all good
@@stevemd6488 one has to have the experience of this month to know how it changes one's functioning of the body for the whole day/month - at this point though, it kind'a seems like he needs to be handicapped to be beat, as he really is in a purple patch of his career 😊
What. A. Treat.
Game of the year?
Torture... pure torture.... OMG.
RESPECT FOR THOSE 2 😮
Was farag not drinking between games? That level shouldnt possible if he wasnt hydrating between... How do you not pass out
He was fasting due to Ramadan
What happened to Ali from the 4th game? He looks completely exhausted and broken.
Did he get injured? Or his body broke down?
Fasting during Ramadan
it's incredible how dangerous he still is while exhausted. He was leading 9 to 7 in the fifth, playing on fumes.
imagine how stupid it is to have a believe that should make you stronger is making you weaker.
What a eye opener for all religious people.
In situation where whole championship could be won, a final match that is purely in hand of greatest Ali, you choose to lose ...
@@filda2005 he's got other priorities. Life isn't just squash
@@aklnz1234 He looked like his leg was bothering him too though.
Ali was fasting because it’s Ramadan so imagine making such a rally with no liquid intake
Considering Farag didnt eat his dinner Coll can feel blessed to scrape a win over a grey faced Farag!
Super Men
How to beat Farag? No food 😂
Fasting without water during a game is so dumb and unwise!
PSA would do well to schedule their tournaments better, with a majority of their top twenty players observing a month of fasting, such matches will always come with an indelible asterisk, which may or may not be warranted - it's an easy fix and can be a welcome mini break from an incredibly packed tournament schedule for the pros
At this point Farag has to be an android or something, Coll played very well but he must know Farag due to Ramadan was not 100%, this match took a lot for Coll so when Farag is at 100% can Coll win then
poor farag you feel so bad for him whule he is fasting
Coll is a cheat, and very cheep for celebrating the way he did beating Farag while fasting, it’s a disgraceful from Coll, but not surprising, Coll has always been a cheat
farag has the most boring squash ever seen
I wish my game was half as boring !
Try playing with him once😅
Why, because he makes it look so easy?
simple squash, squash made easy, amazing, love Farag squash.
His retrievals are amazing, nothing boring about that.