Cover Image Courtesy: Intel Extreme Masters
GOSU has announced that it will not be able to participate in the East Asia Closed Qualifier for IEM Sydney 2019. The Korean team has pulled out of the qualifier hence granting an extra slot in the upcoming second open qualifier.
#IEM Sydney update: @GOSU_gg have dropped out of the East Asian Closed Qualifier, meaning the remaining Open Qualifier for that region will now grant three instead of two spots into the closed bracket.
— Intel®ExtremeMasters (@IEM) March 12, 2019
Sign-ups are still open: https://t.co/5BLnGXM4bp pic.twitter.com/rKhGxRxScA
The reason behind GOSU pulling out of the qualifier is because the organization disbanded its former team after three of its players, HSK, Jinx and stax joined MVP PK. The organization is without a CS roster at the moment.
Because of this, a slot has opened up in the Closed Qualifier which will be occupied by the team which places third in the upcoming second open qualifier for the East Asia region.
The registration for the second open qualifier is still on-going. Interested teams can click HERE to register themselves. The qualifier is scheduled to take place from 19th-20th March.
Already D13 and 2990 Esports have qualified through the first open qualifier. Let’s see which other teams can make it to the Closed Qualifier.
Opinion
The departure of GOSU or its partial buyout in terms of players from MVP PK has set the region a step back in some ways. MVP PK now stand unchallenged at the top with undeniably the very best players from the region. Already almost all the top teams from East Asia have made it to the Closed Qualifier.
According to me Ignis and Team DWFN will definitely be the two teams making it through the Second Open Qualifier along with another team which I honestly cannot predict. I think the next qualifier will be tasteless but I will still keep some hope for the Closed Qualifier.
