In the final match of the LCK Summer 2021 group stage, T1 unexpectedly suffered a 0-2 defeat against Hanwha Life Esports – a team that had already been eliminated from the playoffs. Although they secured a spot in the decisive matches for the LCK Summer Championship and the direct qualification for Worlds, this loss has put T1 in a tough spot.
First, T1 will have to face LSB – a team that finished the group stage with a lower ranking than T1 (5th compared to 4th) but has almost identical statistics. Moreover, throughout the group stage, LSB was one of the two teams (along with NS) that won against T1 in both the first and second legs. This can be seen as a jinx, but clearly, every time they face each other this season, LSB’s players have every reason to be confident in achieving a good result against T1’s star lineup.
The next factor complicating T1’s situation is the loss to HLE, making them one of the three teams (along with LSB and AF) at risk of being eliminated from the regional qualifiers right after the first match in the playoffs. The reason is that currently, among the three teams T1, AF, and LSB, T1 has the highest Championship Points (40 points) compared to the other two (AF and LSB have the same 10 points after the group stage). However, T1 and LSB will face each other directly in a BO5, while AF will take on NS in the other match of the playoff opener. With NS having secured a spot in the regional qualifiers, T1 must win against LSB to retain control over their fate.
Conversely, if they lose to LSB, they will have to wait for the outcome of the match between NS and AF. But perhaps not many T1 fans will feel secure because AF has proven themselves as “Giant Killers” in the group stage. AF’s victims in the group stage include DK, Gen.G, LSB, and even T1 and NS have previously fallen to AF. Thus, despite being the last team to qualify for the playoffs, AF’s “giant-slaying” power cannot be underestimated, increasing the risks for T1.
Another aspect T1 fans need to be aware of is that among the current T1 roster, only Faker, Teddy, and somewhat Cuzz have the most experience in intense BO5 “climbing the mountain” scenarios, while the rest are younger players. Although they have been through a considerable amount of competition in the LCK, anything can happen in a BO5, and even momentary mistakes can lead to the collapse of an entire system.
In addition to the issues regarding the young players, currently, T1’s coaches Moment and Stardust, while bringing a new breath of fresh air, both lack significant experience in crucial matches like these. The clearest evidence of their leadership inexperience can be seen in how they have been outplayed in the ban/pick phase or in recent losses. It can be observed that, at this moment, regarding morale for the BO5, T1 can only rely on Faker and somewhat on Teddy along with Cuzz (if these two players are fielded).
Finally, it should be noted that since 2018, T1 has had no luck in the regional qualifiers, as every time they have had to secure a spot in Worlds this way, they have failed to win. This will create an invisible pressure on the psychology of T1’s players if they stumble in the playoffs.
Not only are they considered the least favored team among the four participating in the first round of playoffs, but T1 has also shown many weaknesses in their losses, and even their wins have not been without issues. Currently, T1’s window of opportunity is gradually closing, but with their resilience and experience, many fans still believe that Faker will steer T1’s ship to “escape” and fulfill his long-cherished dream over the years.