As is known, the friendly match between the Vietnamese League of Legends (LoL) team and the South Korean LoL team ended with a decisive victory for the players from the Land of the Morning Calm. This result was not surprising for most fans as South Korea is far superior in the realm of LoL. However, the events of the match and the reactions of the players became the most discussed topics.
Throughout both games, the two teams made some unusual picks and bans that were rarely seen. On the Vietnamese side, SofM allowed Gloryy to play Camille Support, while in game 2, Kanavi’s Nidalee Jungle completely annihilated the Vietnamese team. These somewhat “strange” picks were well-received by the LoL community. This is because these choices truly reflected the friendly nature of the match, and despite the overwhelming defeat, both teams played with a relaxed and open mindset.
However, the cheerfulness and enthusiasm of the Vietnamese players irritated a portion of the VCS audience. On many forums, there were numerous posts and comments expressing frustration at the players’ joyful demeanor, even smiling through difficult situations. Some went so far as to compare this with the “dignity of the national team” to condemn the Vietnamese LoL players.
However, this opinion faced fierce backlash from the majority of the VCS community. Right below these posts, many people found it hard to understand why some individuals placed such heavy significance on a friendly match. One comment pointed out directly: “The skill gap is evident. Vietnamese players are participating in a friendly to learn, as SofM said, ‘to see how much the skill level differs and strive to improve.’ Furthermore, the players are meeting their idols; why shouldn’t they be allowed to show some joy?” Another comment even referenced how Korean fans were also very relaxed despite Chovy having several moments of “sharing laughter” with his Azir champion.
Clearly, a segment of the VCS audience is being too harsh and strict with the players. While it is true that this is the national team representing LoL, a relaxed mindset is essential. Moreover, the Vietnamese LoL team does not have the strongest roster, and this was just a practice match. Therefore, the harsh criticism directed at the players is not only extreme but also unwelcome by the community.