Entering the match against Fnatic, this can be seen as an opponent not too dissimilar from GAM Esports. The team led by “The-noid” is still very strong as they are the second seed from the LEC region. However, clearly, compared to a Gen.G that was overconfident right from the start, the opponent FNC seemed a bit “easier” for GAM. Of course, the players still need to perform at their best with the utmost focus in all 5 positions.
But all that GAM could muster were the meager efforts of Kiaya and Kati. These were the two brightest players in the dark picture of GAM’s match against FNC. There were continuous confusing plays from GAM’s players like Slayder and Levi, especially the disjointedness in their team coordination. Notably, during the co-stream of their Worlds 2023, SofM also “roasted online” the players of the reigning VCS champions.
First, SofM pointed out that GAM mismanaged their composition by utilizing the Kai’Sa – Rakan duo but not executing pressure situations consistently. In fact, SofM believes GAM was wrong from the start when the Kai’Sa – Rakan duo waited until level 3 to start making proactive moves. Next, the situation SofM found perplexing was when GAM initiated a fight in the Bottom Lane. With Trymbi already down, GAM did not rotate back. As a result, when Humanoid and Razork came down, GAM only traded 2 kills but lost 4 players.
SofM bluntly stated: “Continuously, there were situations where GAM could win, with a win rate of 60 – 70%, but they didn’t know how to set up team fights. Humanoid’s Dragon play was very “arrogant” when he didn’t have Teleport. Yet GAM still lost.” Finally, after a skirmish near the Herald, SofM had to consider the opponents GAM would face in their (possibly) final match at Worlds 2023.
Slayder himself was a player with many of the most confusing moments in the loss against FNC, and GAM’s defeat also had systemic issues. SofM noted that GAM had winning opportunities but made too many mistakes, from understanding champion mechanics to gameplay execution… FNC also made mistakes, but clearly, GAM’s errors were more severe, and they couldn’t compensate with skill like the LEC representatives.