image source: EHOME's twitter
Group stage day one of the Shanghai Major just begun with group A featuring Team Secret, CDEC Gaming, EHOME and MVP.Phoenix.The first two GSL matches went in Secret's and MVP's way, advancing for the Winners match, while EHOME and CDEC Gaming had to play the losers match.
Game One
At the start of the first game of the series EHOME decided to try a level one Roshan but got interrupted by CDEC Gaming, however the first blood went to EHOME's way. Despite this, CDEC took the advantage in the laning phase, shutting down oldeleven and old chicken in their respective lanes with a roaming Liu 'Garder' Xinzhou Bounty Hunter.
When the teams clashed again in the Roshan pit CDEC had a better coordination in the team fight and the Viper kitting Tian Yu 'CTY' Chen's Ursa truly made the difference that enabled CDEC to secure the Aegis and a tier three tower immediately after. But, as the game transitioned into the mid stage, EHOME’s heroes started to become beefy which forced CDEC to waste a lot of resources just to secure a few pickoffs. EHOME were the first to breach the high ground and despite a base dive that ended up bad for them, they managed to keep the momentum up, regrouped and won a decisive teamfight at the 44 minute mark to take the first game of the series.
Game Two
For the second game EHOME went with an unusual mid lane Broodmother, forcing CDEC to rotate Sun 'Agressif' Zheng Ember Spirit to mid lane. Unsuccessful in defending their lanes, CDEC lost the mid lane battle five minutes into the game which allowed EHOME to continue the push pressure and take all the towers in the bottom lane.
CDEC responded with their own push into the top lane and forced EHOME to step back and defend. Although EHOME secured the Aegis for themselves around the 38 minute mark and had the map advantage, CDEC achieved the victory thanks to a great fight in the mid lane, followed by a team wipe inside the enemy base.
Game Three
The decisive game three featured a heavy push line-up from CDEC and a massive teamfight oriented draft from EHOME. Missing the timing window for a perfect five man high ground push, CDEC allowed the comeback scenario for EHOME who landed a few winning Chronosphere combos and sent CDEC Gaming to the lower bracket of the main event.
