T1 Holds the Advantage of Timing, Location, and Harmony
Following their defeat to Hanwha Life Esports in the LCK Summer 2024 lower bracket final, T1 must compete in the regional qualifiers for the first time in many years to seek a chance to qualify for Worlds 2024. In reality, T1 only needs to win just one match in this round to head to London immediately. However, the opponents in the regional qualifiers, except for Dplus KIA, have all defeated T1 at least once in the LCK Summer 2024 group stage.
However, T1’s chances are looking very bright as their only opponent who has not defeated T1, even after facing them in the LCK Summer playoffs – DK, is the team that will clash with T1 in the upcoming first match of the regional qualifiers. It can be said that this is the best opportunity for T1 to secure the third seed representing the LCK at Worlds 2024. The last time DK defeated T1 was in Summer 2023, when T1 was lacking key players due to Faker’s injury. Since then, DK has not found another victory, even after changing their roster.
Furthermore, the T1 players are certainly very determined to reach Worlds 2024. They have experienced a disappointing Summer and likely no player on the T1 roster wants to become a former champion even before starting their title defense journey. Moreover, the match against DK could even be seen as decisive for the entire season. If they lose, T1 can certainly envision the backlash they will face.
Additionally, both teams have their uncertainties, but DK tends to be more inconsistent and unpredictable. Even when holding many advantages, DK has not been able to fully convert them into victories. Their roster is talented, but they are prone to mistakes, with Aiming and Kingen being the focal points of attention.
On the other hand, while T1 players may have poor performance and results against HLE and Gen.G, they still know how to secure victories against the remaining teams. DK and KT from the recent Summer have understood this well. T1 will not hesitate to replicate this to secure a dominant victory over their opponents.
But T1 Should Not be Complacent
However, DK is also the only team in the past four years to achieve a ‘clean’ victory against Gen.G while they were in great form. This is something T1 cannot take lightly. ShowMaker is still proving that he can create breakthroughs. Not to mention, if Aiming or Kingen do not ‘trip’, they could very well make T1 ‘regret’.
However, for the majority of the audience and experts, a victory for T1 is entirely feasible. If Faker and his teammates play with focus and at their highest level, a spot at Worlds 2024 could be secured right after their first match in the upcoming regional qualifiers.