Edward Gaming unsatisfied with 2nd place in Group C

Riot·Oct 9, 2015·1 votes·11,729 views

It wasn't pretty, but they got there.

After getting rolled over by SKTelecom T1 in sub-30 minute games, struggling against the Bangkok Titans, and righting the ship against H2K, China's Edward Gaming locked in their Quarterfinals spot. Edward Gaming's jungler Ming "Clearlove" Kai makes sure he told us how he felt about their play before in the interview room.

"Our performance in the Groups was a failure."

Wow.

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Given the expectations of EDG coming into the tournament, some placing them as favorites alongside teams such as SKT or LGD Gaming, failure might be a bit strong. But it's easy to understand why the team isn't pleased.

"Taking into consideration our physical conditions for players right now, we didn't do very well in the Group Stage," EDG coach Aaron explains, "But it's within the range we can accept.” Aaron goes on to explain that in addition to Koro1 and Pawn's recurring back problems, most of the team got sick upon arrival in Paris, and hadn't quite recovered.

Their game in Week 2 of the Group Stage against SKT showcased many of the problems that EDG has struggled with throughout the first round of Worlds 2015. "They picked Elise… and they wanted to play a game that was focused around snowballing the [Ryze] and the top lane," Clearlove explains, "On our side, I [picked] Gragas and we had a Kalista bot lane. If my Level 2 gank in bot lane worked, we would have had a huge advantage -- but it didn't happen that way."

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"We did prepare well for our games against SKT… during the Ban-and-Picks period, we had a slight advantage," Aaron recalls. "But we failed too much against them in the first three minutes. When we saw Clearlove fail a gank bottom lane, [and] our top got ganked, we had already lost to them."

SKT jungler Bengi capitalized by stealing Clearlove's Red Buff and then executed several dives on AmazingJ in the top lane. "Because of that, we fell behind a lot," Clearlove says, "The tempo was really taken away from us by SKT."

EDG went down in under 25 minutes, among the shortest games in the tournament, and as EDG tells it, the team went on full tilt. "Because we lost a very devastating game to SKT, it impacted us emotionally," Clearlove explains. "We were kind of tilting up and down a bit in the next game against BKT, so there were a couple of mistakes made."

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"The way our players get mentally hurt after a game against SKT isn't because we can't lose to them, it's the way we lost to them -- it's not something we can accept,” Aaron states emphatically. “So it hurt us mentally against BKT. After [Champion Select] we were very confident we could win, but because the loss to SKT still affected us, we brought a bad mindset to this game -- it made it hard to win against BKT in a short time... I think we were worried, so we got too hurried to win [the game]."

There has been some speculation on whether EDG might have performed better with top laner Koro1, after substitute player AmazingJ struggled in several of EDG’s games. But as Aaron explained, playing AmazingJ is part of EDG’s gameplan. "The reason we didn't want Koro1 to play in the Group Stage was because of his physical problems -- but he's participated in scrims against other teams. We wanted to take this time for Koro1 to get better. Then in the next matches, it will be AmazingJ or Koro1 based on our strategy. We'll have two different types of tops to choose from."

EDG now looks ahead to potential opponents that they’ll face in the Quarterfinals and beyond. “I think Origen and KT [Rolster] have a higher chance to get out of Group D,” Aaron says, “For Group B, I think Cloud9 has an early advantage, but both Fnatic and IG have a chance -- they are strong as well. If I had to say two teams, I think Cloud9 and IG [get out].”

“I don’t really have a preference [for what team we play in the Quarterfinals], we can perform well against any of them.”

We also asked Aaron and Clearlove about particular players that impressed them from other Groups. “Maple is pretty strong,” Aaron says. “He especially plays LeBlanc very well. I’m also impressed by GorillA -- he plays Morgana and Tahm Kench really well. Another player would be xPeke.”

Clearlove agreed, stating after a moment, “OG’s mid laner [xPeke] impresses me. Every time I see him, he’s always very stable. And he also brings a lot of flair and creativity to the game. I’m always surprised in watching him play.”

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Despite all their issues, EDG doesn’t think the two-game series against SKT, or their struggles against BKT, represent their real strength, and they’ll still have success moving forward. "I think that EDG hasn't really performed to our best yet,” Clearlove says. “Hopefully next time we'll let you see the real EDG."

Aaron agrees. “I think we can do much better further in the tournament."

“Hopefully we can still win the World Championship.”

To see if xPeke and Origen can seal the deal and join Clearlove and Edward Gaming in the Quarterfinals, tune in tomorrow at 12:00 Central European Summer Time or 3:00 AM Pacific Time.

For more Worlds 2015 coverage, head over to Lolesports.com.

Frank Fields is a Senior Editor for Riot Games Esports Web Content team. Talk to him on Twitter about ordered lists, where your comments will be assimilated into the Matrix. You can also find him in Solo Queue in the Diamond 5 retirement home.

25 Comments

HugoooYuOct 9, 20157 votes

item 3751 厂长加油

BrotherTresOct 9, 20151 votes

加油！！！ Nunu Nunu

1945 0815Oct 10, 20152 votes

厂长加油！！EDG加油！！把S5冠军给中国人拿回来！

aítchOct 9, 20151 votes

well fought H2K well fought item 3073

GhrianOct 9, 20151 votes

I honestly think Easyhoon is actually better than Faker. Faker just didn't show up as strong as he should have so far in the tournament, given the expectancies he had, and relied heavily on his teammates to win games. Was Faker overhyped? Time will tell. But it's not without a good reason if SKT have a consistent sub in Easyhoon who is not really a sub but rather a 6th player, unlike most teams at worlds.

Lord JerichoOct 9, 20157 votes

At the same time though, what really facilitated Faker to be a monster was how much resources were divulged into him during matches. I mean, Bengi's nickname is "The Right Hand of God" for essentially camping Faker's lane to snowball him ahead. Now it's different. Faker doesn't need to have as many resources because Marin and Bang can equally carry. It looks like they're focusing on getting Marin ahead now because A) It's a top lane meta, and B) Faker will eventually turn into a monster, although not near as fast as what we're used to. In that perspective, He's still doing really well, because he still has yet to truly lose lane to his opponents with less resources as compared to Marin. Faker is only overhyped if you expected him to have all resources/focus on him.

Easyhoon doesn't seem all that much better than Faker to me, only because his champion pool is more defined. Not to say that's a bad thing, but Faker can literally pull any champion out of his ass and still play rather well with them. His versatility is still a major power point for SKT, just as much as Easyhoon's defensive/control oriented champ pool and playstyle. However, both have their playstyles that strategically help SKT win time and time again.

Legacy of RaOct 9, 20153 votes

Well said.

Like I mentioned in another article, Faker's previous performances were so unnaturally god-like because he was the team's salvation. SKT lived or died by his performance (much like TSM with Bjerg, though the Koreans have obviously had infinite more success with this type of play style). But now? SKT is far more well-rounded and they don't have to rely solely on Faker to deliver them to victory. Instead, they can spread out their resources more evenly because, as Jericho mentioned in his post, Bang and Marin can carry just as effectively. This is especially so in the current meta when top lane juggernauts are the rave, and can put entire teams on their backs and then some.

The group stages showed it all: the real carry for SKT, at least in this phase of the tournament, was almost exclusively Marin.

This current incarnation of SKT is an entirely different monster from all the previous versions we've seen, and honestly, as they continue to adapt, innovate, and solidify their mechanics and strategies, I wouldn't be surprised to see multiple Worlds appearances (and dare I say victories)? In spite of all the power SKT's current lineup offers them, the most frightening and dangerous aspect is that there's still a lot of room for them to evolve and grow. If they're able to remain dedicated and determined to "perfecting" their play, well, every other team will have their work cut out for them when they meet them on the Rift.

ShadowMagiqOct 10, 20151 votes

I don't see how this article is relevant to SKT. Do you actually watch LCK or are just saying that after 1 easyhoon karthus game.

GhrianOct 10, 20151 votes

When I posted this, nothing was telling me if this article would be the only one relevant to group C or not. After all, we've only had one article about group A the day before. It's not much about the team but about the group itself. Also, I have seen lck, msi and even though this Karthus game wasn't really meaningful, all of Faker's games so far have been disappointing. And that is a fact.

Lord JerichoOct 10, 20151 votes

Well define disappointing. By what standards were Faker's games disappointing?

xJLx MCHammerOct 9, 20151 votes

If they were unsatisfied they should have tried harder vs SKT instead of picking dumb picks in fear of SKT banning it in the future

DestructoDaveOct 10, 20153 votes

[{quoted}](name=xJLx MCHammer,realm=NA,application-id=9hBQwnEU,discussion-id=jfhl3QXU,comment-id=0003,timestamp=2015-10-09T22:15:58.322+0000)

If they were unsatisfied they should have tried harder vs SKT instead of picking dumb picks in fear of SKT banning it in the future

In all honesty, they didn't look particularly good vs anyone, except maybe their first game vs. BKT. IMO, the jury is still out on them. They def. are not on SKT's level, I know that much. And, they may not be on other groups' level either. I wasnt really impressed with any of their victories. Some seemed to be just gave to them from other teams throwing, then them actually winning.

korean dogOct 10, 20152 votes

if EDG play at their best level they are on par with SKT. We saw that at MSI and if EDG can bring Koro back to top form and play at the same form as MSI they can beat SKT.

DestructoDaveOct 10, 20153 votes

{quoted}

if EDG play at their best level they are on par with SKT. We saw that at MSI and if EDG can bring Koro back to top form and play at the same form as MSI they can beat SKT.

They havent shown their best level since MSI. At this point, its safe to say what we have seen is their level. They havent looked great, tbh. They had 2 of the weakest teams in the tournament to beat on. They got stomped in both their SKT games, and had too close of games, IMO, vs. H2k and BKT. If they were in one of the other groups, you would probably see them scraping by at the level they are playing at right now.

They havent been on par with SKT in a long time; hell they havent even been on par with chinese teams, and I honestly believe if they were in another group, it would be a similar story. You could probably replace EDG with IG, and IG would be 4-2 in that group. IMO, the jury is still out on EDG. We will know soon, though. I just think the only team you dont want to face coming out of groups, is SKT. EDG isn't, and hasn't been, anywhere near their level since MSI.

ShadowMagiqOct 10, 20152 votes

Do you even watch the LPL? EDG dominated the summer season up until the playoffs when they lost to LGD. Last time i checked you are not a analyst so how do you know whether EDG is playing at their best level. Honestly, with the way EDG has been playing, SKT has not been challenged so I actually wouldn't be surprised if they drop several games to teams from other groups like OG. And with your 4-2 logic, most other teams like KT or C9 could also 4-2 so I don't really understand what you are trying to say.

DestructoDaveOct 10, 20152 votes

{quoted}

Do you even watch the LPL? EDG dominated the summer season up until the playoffs when they lost to LGD. Last time i checked you are not a analyst so how do you know whether EDG is playing at their best level. Honestly, with the way EDG has been playing, SKT has not been challenged so I actually wouldn't be surprised if they drop several games to teams from other groups like OG. And with your 4-2 logic, most other teams like KT or C9 could also 4-2 so I don't really understand what you are trying to say.

The fact they nearly lost to BKT is proof enough that they are not on SKT's level. And you proved my point. c9, KT, and other teams could have 4-2'd that group, too. Meaning, exactly where are you getting EDG is 2nd best team right now? They have 2 punching bags to beat on in that group. Do you not get it? They dont look anywhere near SKT's level, and they dont look particularly good against the 2 weak teams they beat on. So, where is people seeing this amazing, CURRENT, play? Just about any of the 1/2 teams, hell maybe even 3rd teams could have 4/2'd that group with ease. And, EDG, if they were one of the top teams of the tournament, as in FInal worthy like people think, shouldn't be having games that close to BKT or H2k, and be more like SKT's wins. They arent.

It doesnt take a genius analyst to look at EDG's games and tell they arent playing at their best level. Half the "analysts" dont even do analytical work anyways, and just go on gut feelings like everyone else, which is why people like Monte were sitting at 39% pick-rate, and all the chinese analysts got embarrassed. The only real analysts out there probably work for betting sites and maybe teams.

Ms CrankensteinOct 10, 20152 votes

Tbh, I dont think you ever watched their other games against SKT or Fnatic or other world lvl teams to gave a conclusion like this. They are at that level. You cant expect a team that never makes any mistakes. They are pro doesnt mean they dont feel pain they dont have bad games. When you say 'some seemed to be just gave to them from other teams throwing, then them actually winning', prove it or show some respect.

Hippopotamus420Oct 9, 20151 votes

well they still have an opportunity to shine in knockout stage :]

BrotherTresOct 9, 20151 votes

GO WIN S5 !!!! ClearLove!!!!!

Teriyaki 6ix5iveOct 10, 20151 votes

Is it just me, or does Pawn always look confused?

LifelezZOct 10, 20151 votes

Although LPL's teams almost all performed poorly, I can still tell how rest of the world hates Chinese teams just because where they come from. A simple example, when SKT kills someone on BKT, fans would go yay! When EDG kills someone on BKT, fans would go eh... If Chinese teams ever win the World's, I wish the team only consists native players. However, because of I am a huge Clearlove fan, and I know how much he has put into League's, I still hope they can win it now before he retires. 厂长加油！

ShadowMagiqOct 10, 20152 votes

This is absolutely ridiculous. I don't know why the fans wouldn't cheer on for EDG as they do for SKT, which I honestly haven't paid much attention to but I guess can have somewhat of an impact on players. Fnatic which is probably the most cheered on team has huni and reignover , both of whom are not from EU so 2/5 like EDG. Bjersen was brought from EU to NA, H2K has Ryu, and the list goes on. And you are going to tell me the fans don't want to see fnatic win?