In just about 24 hours, MSI 2022 will officially kick off with a showdown between Saigon Buffalo and T1. Facing off against the strongest contender for the championship so early presents a huge challenge for SGB. Moreover, VCS has not participated in international tournaments for a long time. As a result, not many fans believe that the “Buffalo Herd” can pull off an upset.
However, even though T1 is indeed a tough opponent, Coach Ren believes that meeting T1 early will be more advantageous for SGB in the subsequent stages once the match against the hardest opponent in the group is out of the way. Notably, recently on his personal page, the coach known for his analytical skills boldly stated: “If SGB doesn’t place in the top 6, I will resign as coach at SGB.”
The reason Coach Ren is so confident is that, within his group, the most formidable opponent for SGB (and indeed for the entire tournament) is perhaps only T1. For DetonatioN FocusMe and Team Aze – two opponents also from “underdog” regions, SGB has every reason to be confident. Even so, DFM will also be an opponent that the VCS representative cannot underestimate. The team from LJL is often regarded as a “mini LCK team” due to having many players from the Korean League of Legends. Not to mention, DFM’s Evi is also a highly experienced top laner.
However, with VCS’s renowned playstyle characterized by passion and dedication that has left a significant impression on the international scene, especially after two victories against the reigning champions G2 Esports at MSI 2019, there is a solid basis to believe in the “Buffalo Herd” at this MSI. Moreover, Coach Ren is also known for meticulously analyzing opponents and likely has prepared strategies to achieve the best results for the entire team.
Therefore, if they play with focus and maximum effort, the young players from VCS can certainly impress the international community, especially after being absent from such stages for two consecutive seasons.