Just a few hours ago, the opening match of MSI 2022 officially took place with a showdown between T1 and Saigon Buffalo. In their first match at an international tournament after a long absence, VCS faced one of the toughest challenges. However, many fans still hoped for a surprise from the “Buffalo Herd” as VCS teams are always known for their passionate and fiery playstyle.
And indeed, the match did not disappoint the audience. Despite being rated as the weaker team, SGB did not “sit back and take it.” The young “Buffalo Herd” tried their best, even making T1’s talented bot lane duo, Gumayusi and Keria, sweat. However, with the skill and talent of each member being superior, T1 regained control and gradually snowballed, obliterating SGB’s efforts.
Following SGB’s performance, which can be described as exceeding expectations against the tough opponent T1, the VCS representative received a lot of praise from the international LoL community. On many social media forums, from casters and KOLs to fans, everyone acknowledged that SGB brought many surprises. Some even suggested that if SGB, the second place of VCS Spring 2022, performed this well, GAM Esports would be even stronger.
In a post-match interview, Faker admitted that his team’s bot lane did not perform well. This was also the match where Gumayusi and Keria were truly exploited. If it weren’t for Oner covering the map so well, SGB might have had the chance to crush T1’s bot lane. Faker stated: “I had heard that teams in VCS play very passionately and I tried to play carefully. But the bot lane really did not play well.”
With what they displayed against T1, VCS fans can fully trust in the achievements of the “Buffalo Herd” at MSI 2022 this time. However, the entire team also needs to improve after each match to avoid repeating mistakes like those in the game against T1.
As for Faker and his teammates, they have proven their skill, talent, and status as the strongest contenders for the MSI 2022 championship. But if the opponents are names that can be considered on par, such as Royal Never Give Up, surely if T1 plays like they did against SGB, they will face countless difficulties, even potentially encountering a very bleak scenario.