T1 is always seen as a top contender for championship titles in every tournament they participate in. However, that doesn’t mean Faker and his teammates consistently perform at their best against every opponent. Just like in their opening match at the 2023 World Championship (the season they ultimately won), T1 faced numerous challenges against Team Liquid. In their recent match against G2 Esports, it can be said that the LEC representatives made T1 fans sweat after watching the first three games as well as the first half of the fifth game.
In reality, T1 could have lost if it weren’t for Faker’s miraculous play during a skirmish near T1’s mid-lane turret that helped “shut down” ADC Hans sama. In the deciding game, G2 maintained a very balanced game state and thoroughly exploited every mistake from T1. Notably, they also had BrokenBlade and ADC Hans sama performing exceptionally well. However, the mistakes in itemization and movement by the main ADC during a critical moment cost G2 dearly. This is unfortunate, but it also shows that T1 knows how to seize even the smallest opportunities.
Notably, this victory over G2 marks the first time since the current roster was formed that T1 could win both games 4 and 5 in a BO5 match. In other words, whenever they were trailing 2-1 after game 3, T1 could equalize in game 4 but had never clinched an overall victory. Even when they led 2-1, there were times they lost two consecutive decisive games. A prime example is their match against Gen.G in the recent LCK Spring Final 2024.
This is a reality that needs immediate improvement. Because overall, G2 might be the last “easy opponent” that T1 could face before reaching the finals. Their next opponent in the winners’ bracket is Bilibili Gaming – a team that always presents many unknowns. Not to mention, alongside them are Team Liquid, Top Esports/Gen.G who are also ready to make T1 pay if they continue playing like they did against G2. Or even G2, who has not been eliminated yet, is ready for revenge if given another chance, lurking ahead of Faker and his teammates.