In the match against Kwangdong Freecs on August 2nd (Vietnam time), after a long wait, fans of T1 specifically and the global League of Legends (LoL) community in general witnessed Faker back in action. Of course, it would be hard to expect Faker to perform at 100% of his ability as he did before the injury, but the difference is undeniably significant. With Faker’s presence, T1 has regained its confidence and the skills of a championship-contending team.
The victory against KDF, while not crucial for T1’s playoff qualification since they had already secured it the previous week, will help Faker assess his physical condition ahead of the playoffs. Injuries like Faker’s are common among players who use their hands intensively for long periods. However, since Faker still has many challenges ahead, especially the Asian Games, fans are understandably worried about the T1 captain.
After the match, Faker shared: “I’m still recovering and my playing ability is still not at 50%. I still have to pay attention to my wrist regularly. Additionally, I will work hard to perform true to the name of our team.” From what Faker shared, it is clear that he has had to return to play while his hand is not yet fully healed. He and the T1 coaching staff must always check carefully to prevent re-injury.
Faker’s efforts have already brought new life to the T1 roster after many days of only knowing losses. The victory against KDF may not carry much significance since the fates of both teams have nearly been determined. However, this is an important win for the entire T1 squad. The young players need a morale boost before entering the crucial playoffs. Meanwhile, Faker also faces opponents of a manageable level to help him regain his competitive feeling after many days away from professional LoL.