Azure Ray Reverse Sweep Team Liquid To Book A Rematch Against The Gladiators
Nobody expected Azure Ray to perform well at ESL One Kuala Lumpur, especially after changing three players. Many fans were skeptical of them receiving a direct invitation to the tournament, but the Chinese squad proved their worth.
After Azure Ray got demolished in the Upper Bracket Final match against the Gaimin Gladiators, everyone thought the Lower Bracket Kings, Team Liquid, would take a clean victory over Lou and the boys. However, it wasn’t the case, as Azure Ray pulled off a reverse sweep against Team Liquid to set up a rematch against the Gladiators.
SabeRLiGhT 24th-picked a Venomancer to counter Lou’s Ursa in the lane in the first map. Though it was an excellent matchup for the Venomancer, Lou managed to win his lane, allowing Azure Ray to take a comfortable lead going into the mid game. However, Team Liquid showed superiority in execution, allowing the European squad to win the first game.
Xm went for a surprise Bounty Hunter last-pick in the Mid Lane in the second game. Initially, the pick looked like it wouldn't work out, as Team Liquid won the early game and built up their advantage. However, a disastrous fight in the Mid Lane helped Azure Ray bounce back into the game. Though Lou messed up a Chronosphere in the early game, he made up for it with some fantastic Chronospheres in the mid and late game to push Team Liquid to a third map.
In the deciding game, Team Liquid first picked Timbersaw, which was immediately addressed with Viper and Nyx Assassin from the Azure Ray side. Overall, it looked like a complete outdraft, allowing the Azure Ray squad to win the game in 27 minutes, completing the reverse sweep.
Later today, the Gaimin Gladiators will play against the underdogs, Azure Ray, in the Grand Finals of ESL One Kuala Lumpur. Team Liquid made a respectable run from the Lower Bracket, but keep in mind their coach Blitz and Off Laner 33 were absent for the event.