Vici Gaming secured a 3-1 victory against LGD in a Best-Of-Five series during the ESL One Asian Qualifiers. With this win, Vici Gaming, alongside Invictus Gaming, are now going to the ESL One main event, which will be held in Frankfurt, Germany.
Game 1:
LGD secured the first win of the series, despite VG's early advantage in the early game. LGD was able to strike first blood while their defensive trilane bottom; containing Centaur, Witch Doctor, and Treant Protector; were faring well against the VG threat. Centaur was able to farm an early Dagger, which proved to solidify LGD's dominance throughout the game. With Centaurs initiations - which often resulted in kills - led to a steadfast offense. allowing LGD to quickly demolish VG's tier 1 tower.
Unfortunately, VG wasn't able to contest LGD - couldn't even destroy a single tower - and just continued to get picked off by LGD's strong draft. LGD had a very versatile lineup, where every hero complement each other. VG, on the other hand, was finding a hard time synergizing within team fights. However, VG shed sparks of hope as they were able to mount a strong defense within their base. They even got a 4-hero kill against LGD, which would have been a possible turn-around. Nevertheless, LGD was too far in the lead and continued to pressure VG's tier 3 towers until VG let a subtle "GG" at the 35-minutes.
Game 2:
VG was victorious druing the 2nd match amid their crucial state during the early and mid game. LGD were able to push towers during the 4-minute mark - with the help of Nature's Prophet - and placed extrodinary pressure on team VG. LGD continued to push towers, and created the necessary space to go Roshan at the 14-minute mark. Meanwhile, Anti-Mage continued to farm, and was able to destroy LGD's top tier 1 & tier 2 towers. Anti-Mage being well-farmed helped VG win the game.
Anti-Mage got a 6 kills and during the last few team fights that sped up his farming. He was able to get his Manta Style, Butterfly, and Abyssal Blade. It was during LGD's push for VG's bottom barracks that VG managed to comeback from their disadvantage against LGD. Magina bought back and picked off three of LGD's heroes. Even with LGD taking Roshan for the 3rd time durng the whole game, VG still won and LGD called 'gg' during the 58-minute mark.
Game 3:
It was VG's time to be aggressive and they got first blood and a courier kill with Invoker. However, LGD were able to pick off Invoker in the process. Luna, in bottom lane, was getting enough farm with Dazzle shutting down Tidehunter. Although, Invoker was doing well with his 5-minute Midas and a level 3 Necro Book in 16-minutes. Throughout the game, the teams fights were always of equal in outcome, with one team getting a return kill. But, VG was the first one to destory a tier one tower.
The game was of equal standing for some time, with Luna getting a lot of farm. But, as for Lifestealer, he wasn't able to get in the same pace especially when he did not go for Midas. There were also some misplays with Sand King who was unable to get his ulti during a team fight in the middle lane. But, VG overstayed and LGD was able to retaliate and went for VG's middle tower. Tidehunter's double Ravage won VG a crucial team fight and LGD called 'gg' during the 49-minute mark.
Game 4:
Team LGD got first blood by killing Magnus in mid lane but VG was able to get a return kill in bottom lane. The exchange on both teams continued until VG went for LGD's top tier 1 tower. LGD got a 5-hero wipeout and they were leading but VG was able to retaliate. With Bristleback, Magnus, and Rubick, VG was able to turn-around the game. Rubick was successul in stealing Brewmaster's Primal Split and Magnus' Reverse Polarity- Rubick was also spot-on.
VG went for bottom tier 2 tower and they got a 4 kills with 1 exchange kill from LGD. They went for Roshan and continued to push the mid towers. Doom was able to use his ultimate against Brewmaster and LGD wasn't able to engage well during the last team fight. LGD called 'gg' on the 36-miute mark.
The teams that will be participating in the main event will be:
Invited - Alliance, Natus Vincere
Qualified (EU) - Team Dog, Fnatic, Cloud9
Qualified (Asia) - Invictus Gaming, Vici Gaming
Qualified (America) - Evil Geniuses
The format for the upcoming playoffs in June 28-29 is yet to be determined. For additional information about ESL One, visit our coverage hub.
