In the match on the afternoon of July 22nd as part of the group stage of VCS, GAM Esports faced Team Flash. In VCS Hoàng Hôn 2023, TF can be considered a “nemesis” of GAM. This is because this team can perform poorly against much weaker opponents than the reigning VCS champions, but in the first round, they convincingly obliterated Levi and his teammates.
Almost, the result of the first round could have repeated itself if it weren’t for the superstar moments from Slayder, Kati, or the inexplicable mistakes from the TF players. Especially in the deciding game where TF can be said to have “self-defeated” by throwing away all their advantages. Jane, with many kills, kept getting caught out one time after another, allowing GAM to regain control of the game and ultimately win.
However, it can be said that both teams delivered a match that was not truly convincing. GAM only really shined during Slayder’s Pentakill moment and maintained a not-too-large gap with TF throughout the early and mid-game stages. But the GAM players like Kati, Zin, and even Levi also made numerous mistakes. According to some opinions, GAM won simply because at the crucial moment, they made fewer mistakes than TF.
Additionally, another factor mentioned by VCS fans is that GAM (again) won due to the opponents’ “self-destruction.” This is seen as one of the reasons why GAM, despite being undefeated in VCS Hừng Đông 2023, performed unconvincingly at MSI 2023. Some fans even bluntly stated: “If GAM or any VCS representatives keep winning due to opponents’ mistakes, it wouldn’t be surprising to lose again in the wildcard at the World Championship.”
In fact, some opinions were even more negative, saying that both teams played as if it were a game of “guessing.” The players made extremely basic mistakes, and not just once throughout all three games.
Of course, these are just opinions from a segment of the audience. However, it cannot be denied that GAM has not truly instilled confidence and reassurance among fans. Nevertheless, the black-yellow team successfully avenged TF and is gradually restoring their image as champions. And surely, the players will have to work harder and strive more to achieve better results than in previous international tournaments.