Although not highly regarded in the LCK, Nongshim RedForce is showing an impressive form this summer season, with 3 wins and 1 loss before facing T1. And clearly, T1 fans have reason to worry as NS is currently a tough opponent.
The course of the match between T1 and NS showcased this. While T1 displayed a disjointed playstyle, facing numerous issues in their draft/pick phase, and the players’ performance nearly hitting rock bottom, NS presented a completely opposite face. They executed a textbook “LCK” control strategy, leading to the situation where even if a member made a mistake and the advantage slipped into T1’s hands, NS still did not lose the match.
Game 1 of the encounter between T1 and NS set a new record in LCK Summer 2021. With a duration of 70 minutes and 16 seconds, this is the longest game of the summer tournament and ranks 7th in the list of the longest games in LCK history.
However, the state of the game was not as tense and dramatic as expected, as the reason for its prolonged duration was simply that both teams played too cautiously. While NS opted for a poke strategy to force T1 back to their base, Faker and his teammates had no viable options to initiate fights. The match even ended without a single team fight occurring in the last 20 minutes. The two teams merely exchanged objectives, with NS being the one to destroy the opponent’s Nexus with the Baron buff advantage, as well as 3 super minion lanes.
The developments of game 1 of this match also reminded many of a “monument” of Korean League of Legends – Jin Air Green Wings, a team known for its “put to sleep” playstyle, and also the former team of Teddy. JAG also holds the record for the longest match in LCK history, having defeated T1 (then SKT) after 94 minutes and 40 seconds of play in a match during LCK Spring 2018.
In game 2, the morale of the T1 players seemed to have completely collapsed. Canna and then Faker were solo-killed in succession, with Canna being seen as T1’s weak point in this match, as he was exploited to the maximum by NS in both games and failed to make any impact, apart from a defensive situation at the end of game 2 with Viego.
Another loss for T1 in the LCK also extinguished another glimmer of hope for this team’s championship aspirations. Indeed, T1 has shown a slight positive change compared to the spring season, but it seems that consistency is still something they lack, and with this state, it will be very difficult for T1 to create surprises against other top contenders like DWG KIA or Gen.G Esports.