WEU Qualifiers: AQua’s Faceless Void Pushes Goonsquad into the Upper Bracket Semifinals

With the Southeast Asian (SEA) qualifiers having concluded for the day, the community shifted its direction to another stacked qualifier. The Western European (WEU) Regional Qualifiers saw a fully strengthened Nigma Galaxy face off against goonsquad in the Upper Bracket Quarterfinals. Despite its dominance in Game Three, Nigma Galaxy ended up throwing it all away as goonsquad managed to claim the victory off of Charlie "aQua" Arat’s Faceless Void.

Following its comeback from what looked like certain defeat in Game Three, goonsquad advanced to the Upper Bracket Semi Finals and shall go up against Team Liquid in two days.

Nigma Galaxy vs goonsquad: Match recap

Going into the match, Nigma Galaxy was looking like the clear favorite over goonsquad as Nigma recently recruited Syed "SumaiL" Hassan, during the third tour of the second division of the Dota Pro Circuit (DPC) WEU region, and the team also saw the return of Amer "Miracle-" Al-Barkawi following his absence from ESL One Malaysia 2022 due to sickness.

Game One

Game One saw goonsquad drafting Faceless Void, Puck and Dawnbreaker. On the opposing side, Nigma Galaxy picked up Ursa, a midlane Batrider and Beastmaster for its draft of the game.

The early game was going well for Nigma Galaxy with Amer "Miracle-" Al-Barkawi on the Ursa having a good laning phase. However, goonsquad was a step ahead of Nigma Galaxy as Charlie "aQua" Arat’s Faceless Void was heavily farmed and managed to stop Nigma Galaxy in its tracks. The game ended after 45 minutes, with goonsquad claiming the first match of the series.

Game Two

Game Two of the series saw Nigma Galaxy fighting back, as it drafted Spectre, Leshrac and Enigma to allow for team fight potential. Goonsquad meanwhile, retained its Faceless Void pick and also drafted Zeus and Centaur Warrunner.

Despite a peaceful early game, Nigma Galaxy was out for blood as it constantly picked off goonsquad’s heroes one by one while also taking objectives off the map. Goonsquad attempted to subdue Nigma Galaxy’s aggression, but it was all in vain as Nigma Galaxy forced a Game Three after 34 minutes.

Game Three

With a spot in the Upper Bracket Semi Finals against Liquid on the line, both teams were looking to advance. Nigma Galaxy went for a very aggressive draft, picking up Troll Warlord, Death Prophet and Doom supported by Earthshaker and Disruptor. Goonsquad went with a more stable draft, picking up Mirana and Clockwerk while also not giving up its Faceless Void pick.

Despite Nigma Galaxy’s dominance across the map during the first 30 minutes, a failed teamfight and aQua’s Linken Sphere build allowed goonsquad to regain the net worth advantage that Nigma Galaxy had built up. From there on, goonsquad had the game in its hands as Nigma Galaxy was forced to call “GG” after 44 minutes, allowing goonsquad to advance to the Upper Bracket.

Goonsquad’s Charlie "aQua" Arat’s was considered by the community as the MVP of the series due to his outstanding performances in Game One and Game Three which allowed goonsquad to advance to the Upper Bracket Semi Finals.

Following the comeback in Game Three, goonsquad will face Team Liquid in the Upper Bracket Semi Finals for a chance to secure at least a Last Chance Qualifiers spot at Singapore, whereas Nigma Galaxy can not afford anymore mistakes after this series as it has now dropped into the Lower Bracket in its journey to qualify for TI11.