The Afreeca Freecs have managed to stay in the League Champions Korea playoffs with a convincing win against Gen. G.
AFs Kuro: "We have nothing to lose. We were 10-8 in the standings whereas every other playoffs team were 13-5."@Freecs_LoL https://t.co/GMVXkaVxPT pic.twitter.com/dxH8DvDjku
— Inven Global (@InvenGlobal) August 12, 2018
Many people thought this could be the season that Gen. G would take the Korean championship. However, it seems that the postseason curse continues for the former World Champions. Gen. G had fallen into a pitfall that many teams across the world had suffered from. The newest patch that hit the Rift would force multiple teams to change their strategies, but Gen. G did not want to budge. Their old proven plan of playing slow into the mid-game, and allowing their star ADC, Park “Ruler” Jae-hyuk to scale did work in seasons before. However, their inability to play at a more proactive rate was their undoing this time around.
Game One
The Afreeca Freecs’ objective was simple: play aggressive right from the get-go, and shut down Ruler and jungler Kang “Ambition” Chan-yong. Their plan was able to work to perfection in their series today. It only solidified the fact that Afreeca was able to adapt to the meta, unlike Gen. G, who would stay within their own devices. Afreeca Freecs’ Kim “Kiin” Gi-in, who many were considering as the best top laner in the world, exercised his will in both games. In game one, he would play Quinn, a surprise for Gen. G and the fans. Her ability to split push at will, while being able to join any teamfight was put on display. Also, the Freecs’ bottom lane carry, Ha “Kramer” Jong-hun, would play Swain, which would prove to be a great choice. Kramer’s accuracy with Swain’s “Nevermove” ability was key for many teamfights.
Although Gen G. would make things interesting in the late game, due to Ruler’s damage on Sivir, Afreeca would close out game one in 47 minutes.
Game Two
Game Two was even more of a stomp, right from the start of the match. Afreeca Freecs jungler Lee “Spirit” Da-yoon would gank bottom lane for Kramer’s Swain twice, and the Freecs’ would come out with at least one kill every time. Afreeca’s aggressiveness was on display throughout the whole match, with Freecs’ support Park “TusiN” Jong-ik comboing with Lee “Kuro” Seo-haeng’s Yasuo multiple times. Gen. G were looking unprepared and outmatched, while Afreeca Freecs were looking like a team better than their record.
Afreeca Freecs would run over Gen. G in the second game, with a lopsided 20-3 scoreline. Kuro would state in an interview with Inven, “We have nothing to lose. We were 5th in the standings with a score of 10-8. Every other playoffs team were 13-5. It’ll feel terrible for them to lose. We’ll do our best by carrying the mindset that we have nothing to lose.” Sounds like a team that should be feared, as you will have to expect the unexpected with their compositions.
Next Up for the Afreeca Freecs
For Afreeca Freecs, they move on to the next round against Kingzone DragonX, another favorite to win the championship. They will need to bring out a lot more surprises to take down KZ, who have been able to adapt to the meta much more successfully. They will face off against the always-formidable duo of Kim “PraY” Jong-in and Kang “GorillA” Beom-hyeon in the bottom lane. Also, top laner Kim “Khan” Dong-ha has been consistent all season. He will be a great challenge for Kiin in the one-versus-one matchup.
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Published: Aug 12, 2018 10:55 pm