VCT Masters Tokyo: EDG Becomes First Chinese Valorant Team to Win Match on Global Stage
A huge moment for the entire region.
Cover-Credits:
China is one of the upcoming Valorant regions in the world and EDG (EDward Gaming) is its undeniable flagbearer. The team was the first-ever team from China to make an appearance in the international circuit by qualifying for the Valorant Champions 2022. Now, almost a year later EDG has achieved another historic milestone by becoming the first Chinese team ever to win an international match on LAN.
Earlier today on 13th June, EDG went up against NAVI (Natus Vincere) in a do-or-die match. The odds were stacked against them in this best-of-three series, but the team dug deep and fought hard to sweep their opponents in consecutive overtime thrillers.
Zheng "ZmjjKK" Yongkang was the difference maker for EDG in many rounds, especially on the first map Pearl. He popped off with the Jett, flaunting his individual prowess and danced around with an Operator, winning every impossible duel.
EDG makes history by becoming the first Chinese team to win a Valorant match on the international stage
Two teams from China, Attacking Soul Esports and EDG, qualified for the ongoing VCT 2023 Masters Tokyo which is scheduled to take place from 11th to 25th June and features a massive total prize pool of $1,000,000 USD.
Out of the two, Attacking Soul Esports witnessed an early elimination following back-to-back losses against DRX and FUT Esports. Before its match against NAVI, even EDG was in a pickle having lost its opening match against T1 by a 2-1 scoreline and now facing an eliminator.
The team was not the favorite to win, but a few expected an upset and EDG delivered, fighting tooth and nail to clinch two consecutive overtime wins, depending on its individual star plays at times but also delivering sound teamwork.
Pearl | 17-15
Bind | 14-12
Lotus | Decider
It was the duo of ZmjjKK and Zhang "Smoggy" Zhao that proved to be a fearsome couple, taking charge of the situation at different times and delivering for the side when required. Others chipped in from time to time, enough to survive as they moved on to face T1 once again in a make-or-break decider.
Smoggy | 48/39/9 (KDA) | 220 (ACS)
ZmjjKK | 48/45/13 (KDA) | 238 (ACS)
Haodong | 41/43/19 (KDA) | 196 (ACS)
nobody | 39/47/18 (KDA) | 190 (ACS)
CHICHOO | 33/41/17 (KDA) | 170 (ACS)
The team will have to deliver another gutsy performance of this sort against T1 in the final match of their group stage. A win shall secure the team a spot in the playoffs whereas a loss shall send them packing home.
