Along with qualifications in North America, qualifiers start in Southeast Asia. Earlier, I already wrote that it is possible that the hottest matches await us in Southeast Asia.
Competition in the region has skyrocketed quite unexpectedly. However, this does not mean that the teams began to play very well, here the situation is rather the opposite.
At the end of the second DPC season, we saw how "chaotic" teams from Southeast Asia began to play. Here you and fnatic, losing decisive confrontations, showing a very indistinct game in replays, and as a result, flying past a direct invitation to TI.
Here you and TNC, losing to Lilgun absolutely without ideology, and forced to play Wild Card. Here you and OB Espotrs x Neon, who showed an excellent first season and failed the second.
But there are also Execration, BOOM, OMEGA and a couple of very good teams. In general, there is something to watch for.
We will take a look at the fight of the clear favorite, against a potential black horse. TNC Predator vs. Team SMG.
TNC Predator Form
Following a good tradition, let's start the discussion with the clear favorite of the match, and as I said, one of the main contenders for victory in qualifying. TNC Predator.
We mentioned that the end of the second season at TNC came out crumpled. But at WePlay AniMajor TNC Predator showed a decent Dota.
TNC Predator Latest Results
- Lost to PSG.LGD with a score of 0-2
- Draw against Team Liquid 1-1
- Draw against Team Spirit 1-1
- Defeat Team Aster 2-1
- Lose to EG 2-1
Perhaps the typically aggressive playstyle TNC helped them perform well in Kiev, but within the region they had to get used to such a game. And we have already seen this.
Team SMG
Team SMG is playing the role of the main "black horse" in the closed qualifiers. There are reasons for this.
Firstly, the composition of the team speaks of its capacity: MidOne and kpii again want to prove to themselves and to everyone that they are top-class players. Secondly, they showed good results in the second season, without any problems taking the second place in the lower division.
But then they will face a serious opponent. This is where MidOne gets the chance to prove it all.
Team SMG latest matches
- 0-2 defeat to Galaxy Racer
- Draw against Omega Esports 1-1
- Lose from OB Esports x Neon with a score of 0-2
- Draw against Motivade. Trust Gaming 1-1
- Lost to Lilgun 0-2
As we can see, the last performance of SMG is far from the top-level team's performance. If SMG wants to qualify for TI through the closed qualifiers, the team needs to do some serious work.
Personal meeting history
Previously, the clubs did not meet in official matches. The confrontation within the closed qualifiers for The International will be their debut confrontation.
Match outcome
Having weighed all the pros and cons, we can come to the conclusion that TNC Predator should win. Already at WePlay AniMajor, they "woke up", and the qualifications should be approached in a more collected manner.
Plus, given the results of the latest Team SMG games, it's hard to believe that MidOne and the company will be able to impose a fight on the Filipinos. They have been playing too loosely lately.
Outcome: victory for TNC Predator.
